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A  BOOK  FOR  EVERY  FARMER. 

___ 

THE 

AMERICAN  VETERINARIAN, 

OR 

DISEASES 

OF 

DOMESTIC   ANIMALS, 

SHOWING   THE 

CAUSES,  SYMPTOMS,  AND  REMEDIES, 


AND    RULES     FOR 


RESTORING  AND  PRESERVING  HEALTH, 

BY  GOOD  MANAGEMENT; 

WITH    DIRECTIONS    FOR 

TRAINING   AND   BREEDING; 

BY  S.W.COLE, 

CDiXOR   AGRICULTURAL  DEPARTMENT  BOSTON  CULTIVATOR,  FORMIRLT 
EDITOR   YANKEE  FARMER  AND   FARMER'S   JOURNAL, 


5T!)ftt2=t!)frtt  5iI)ousanTJ. 

BOSTON: 
JOHN  P.  JEWETT  &   COMPANY, 

17    &    19  CORNHILL  . 

1851. 


r*     rv 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1847,  by 

S.    W.    COLE, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of 

Massachusetts. 


The  animals  in  our  Frontispiece,  "  Lady  Messenger,"  and 
her  colt,  "  Morgan  Messenger,"  are  descendants  of  the  famous 
Morgan  and  Messenger  horses.  They  were  formerly  owned, 
and  the  colt  was  raised,  by  S.  W.  Jewett,  Esq.,  Weybridge, 
Vermont ;  but  are  now  the  property  of  General  S.  W.  Bur- 
roughs, Medina,  Orleans  county,  New  York. 


Stereotyped   by 
GEORGE  A.  CURTIS; 

NSW  ENGLAND  TYPE  AND  STEREOTYPE  FOCNDBRT. 


CONTENTS. 


ANIMALS. 

Utility  of  Animals, 13 

Treatment  of  Sick  Animals 15 

To  promote  the  Health  of  Stock, 17 

Comfort  of  Animals, 20 

Exercise, 20 

Abstinence, 22 

Unhealthy  Meat, 24 

Animals  Differ, 26 

Training  and  Breaking, 27 

Gestation, 29 

Water  and  Watering  Places, 30 

Cooking  Food  for  Horses  and  Cattle 31 

Symptoms  of  Diseases, 32 

Physic, 33 

Diuretics, 34 

Seton  or  Rowel, 35 

Bleeding, 37 

Back-Raking, 39 

Accidents,  &c. 40 

Holding  the  Tongue  when  giving  Medicine, 41 

Mode  of  giving  Liquid  Medicine, 41 

Mashes 42 

Fomentations 42 

Poultices, .43 

Caustics, 44 

Disinfectants  and  Anti-Putrescents,  .   , 44 

Clysters,  or  Injections, 45 

Astringents  and  Tonics, 47 

Anodynes  and  Sedatives, 48 

Stimulants  and  Carminatives, 48 

Aromatics  and  Stomachics, 50 

To  stop  Blood, ,50 

Liniments,  Opodeldoc,  Embrocations,  Ointments,  &c.,    .  51 

Poisons  of  Various  Kinds 63 

Wounds  of  Various  Kinds 66 

Broken  Bones, 60 


VIU  CONTENTS. 

Inversion  of  the  Rectum, 63 

Locked  Jaw,  or  Tetanus, 64 

Rheumatism  in  the  Joints 66 

Inflamed  and  Sore  Eyes 66 

For  a  Film  on  the  Eye, 67 

HORSES. 

Description  of  a  Good  Horse, 69 

Choosing  a  Good  Horse, 71 

To  ascertain  a  Horse's  Age, 74 

Blind  Bridles, 76 

Check  Reins, 77 

Stables, 78 

Docking  and  Nicking, 80 

Exercise, 80 

Rearing  and  Training  Colts, 81 

Taming,  Training,  and  Breaking, 82 

Care  of  a  Heated  or  Wet  Horse 89 

Dressing  Vicious  Horses, 89 

Utility  of  Dressing  and  Friction, 90 

Shoeing, 90 

To  Save  Horses  from  Fire, 91 

Food  of  Various  Kinds,  and  its  Preparation, 9  J 

Water 99 

Care  of  Horses  in  Travelling, 99 

Feeding  on  the  Road, 100 

General  Management, 101 

Stomach  and  Intestines, 102 

Physic, 103 

Diuretics 105 

Bleeding 105 

Fever, 106 

Scours, 107 

Hove, 107 

Distinction  between  Colic  and  Inflammation, 108 

Colic, 103 

Inflammation  of  the  Stomach  and  Intestines, Ill 

Bots, 112 

Indigestion,  or  Stomach  Staggers, 117 

Yellows,  or  Jaundice, 117 

Glanders,     119 

Horse-Ail 121 

Distemper,  or  Epidemic  Catarrh, 123 

Cold,  or  Common  Catarrh 123 

Cough, 126 


PREFACE. 

In  the  whole  routine  of  husbandry,  there  is  not  a  subject 
on  which  there  is  so  great  a  want  of  information  as  in  treat- 
ing sick  animals,  and  preventing  diseases  ;  and  in  no  case  do 
so  serious  and  frequent  losses  occur,  for  want  of  knowledge. 
These  losses,  in  this  country,  amount  to  a  vast  sum  annually, 
not  less  than  some  millions  of  dollars ;  the  greater  part  of 
which  might  be  saved  by  good  management  and  proper  treat- 
ment. 

More  than  twenty  years  ago,  we  commenced  collecting  valu- 
able rules  and  prescriptions,  for  managing  animals  and  curing 
diseases,  for  our  own  private  use  in  pursuing  the  business 
of  farming ;  and  in  a  number  of  instances,  neighbors  con- 
sulted these  authorities,  and  by  aid  of  a  simple  recipe, 
saved  the  lives  of  valuable  animals.  A  mere  item  of  a 
few  lines,  that  costs  less  than  one  mill,  may  enable  the 
farmer  to  save  the  life  of  an  animal.  By  the  help  of  a  single 
prescription,  whole  herds  and  flocks  have  been  saved  from  the 
''pestilence  that  walketh  in  darkness,  and  the  destruction  that 
wasteth  at  noonday." 

We  have  continued  our  collection  of  valuable  matter,  con- 
sulting the  best  American  and  European  authorities  on  the 
veterinary  art,  and  many  skilful  practitioners,  from  whom  we 
have  obtained  new  and  valuable  prescriptions ;  and  in  con- 
ducting agricultural  journals  for  more  than  twelve  years,  we 
have  carefully  examined  all  the  works  of  this  character,  in 
this  country,  and  some  of  the  principal  English  periodicals, 
through  which  numerous  intelligent  farmers  have  communi- 
cated their  experience  in  managing  stock  and  treating  diseased 
animals. 

Availing  ourselves  of  our  own  experience  and  observation 
as  a  practical  farmer,  and  conductor  of  papers  devoted  to  the 
farming  interest,  and  of  our  numerous  sources,  we  have  col- 
lected a  vast  heap  of  valuable  materials  on  the  subject  of  this 
work.  This  we  have  examined,  sifted,  arranged,  digested, 
and  reduced,  by  excluding  words  and  retaining  ideas,  facts, 
and  opinions,  so  as  to  present  the  cream  and  substance  of  the 
whole,  in  one  neat,  cheap  volume,  within  the  means  of  every 
one,  and  in  a  clear,  simple  style,  within  the  comprehension  of 
every  one  of  common  capacity. 

This  work  is  not  only  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the  farmer, 
but  it  should  be  in  the  hands  of  every  mechanic,  and  persons 


VI  PREFACE. 

of  every  profession,  who  keep  only  a  single  horse,  cow,  sheep, 
pig,  dog,  or  a  few  fowls.  For  every  one  who  keeps  animals 
should  not  only  learn  to  keep  them  in  good  health  for  pecu- 
niary gain,  but  as  a  matter  of  humanity  and  benevolence,  in 
relieving  distress  and  adding  to  the  comfort  of  those  animals 
which  a  kind  Providence  has  placed  under  his  care  and  con- 
trol, for  his  own  special  good. 

On  some  nice  and  difficult  subjects,  as  to  the  peculiar  prop- 
erties and  effects  of  certain  medicines,  and  some  points  in 
the  pathology  of  diseases,  involved  in  the  sciences  ot  anatomy 
and  physiology,  we  have  had  the  assistance  of  the  most  skil- 
ful and  experienced.  We  are  more  especially  indebted  to  Dr. 
Holmes,  the  worthy  Editor  of  the  "Maine  Farmer,"  for  freely 
offering  any  aid,  and  giving  valuable  information,  from  his 
own  experience  and  observation,  on  some  of  the  the  most  diffi- 
cult cases  that  occur  in  the  veterinary  art ;  and  to  Sanford 
Howard,  Esq.,  one  of  the  able  Editors  of  the  "  Albany  Culti- 
vator," who  is  excellent  authority  in  breeding  and  managing 
stock,  for  assistance  on  abstruse  points  and  questionable  sub- 
jects. 

It  has  been  our  object  to  give  several  remedies,  especially 
for  the  most  common  and  destructive  diseases  ;  as,  in  case  a 
medicine  does  not  succeed  in  due  time,  it  affords  an  opportu- 
nity to  try  another ;  and  many  simple  remedies  are  brought 
forward  which  the  farmer  has  in  his  own  house,  or  on  his  own 
premises,  while  he  does  not  have  convenient  access  to  the 
apothecary's  shop  ;  and  these  simple  means  are  often  as  effi- 
cacious as  a  compound  collected  from  the  four  quarters  of  the 
world,  and  New  Holland  besides. 

Among  the  simple  and  valuable  medicines  which  the  far- 
mer generally  has  at  hand,  are  common  salt,  saltpetre,  lime 
wood  ashes,  soot,  lard,  eggs,  oil,  mustard,  molasses,  honey, 
sugar,  charcoal,  ginger,  tobacco,  pepper,  cayenne,  bran,  gruel, 
spirits  of  turpentine,  coffee,  camphor,  sulphur,  vinegar,  tar 
rosin,  chalk,  and  many  other  articles.  And  numerous  herbs, 
barks,  roots  and  plants,  afford  valuable  decoctions,  infusions, 
digestions  and  fomentations,  that  are  among  the  most  sov- 
ereign remedies  for  beast  or  man. 

We  would  invite  intelligent  men,  who  carefully  investigate 
the  subjects  in  this  work,  to  give  us  their  candid  opinions  on 
any  part  that  claims  particular  attention,  in  the  way  of  com- 
ment.    Such  notice  will  be  gratefully  received. 

March,  1847.  S.  W.  COLE. 

Fourteenth  Edition,  or  Thirtieth  Thousand. 

Revised  and  Improved  by  the  Author. 

Nav  E.tglund  Furmtr  Ojfic-.  Qidncy  Ha",  Boiton,  1850. 

8.  W.  C. 


CONTENTS  IX 

Bronchitis, 126 

Pleurisy, 127 

Inflammation  of  the  Lungs, 128 

Heaves  — Thick  and  Broken  Wind, 130 

Diseases  of  the  Urinary  Organs, 132 

Poll  Evil 138 

Phrenitis,  or  Inflammation  of  the  Brain, 141 

Vertigo,  Megrims,  or  Fits • 142 

Big  Head • 143 

Rabies,  or  Madness,  (see  also  page  277,) 145 

The  Horse  Disease, 145 

Lampas, 146 

Black  Tongue, 146 

The  Ears, 147 

Founder, 147 

Eating  too  much  Grain, 148 

Hide-Bound, 149 

Lice, 150 

Moulting,  or  Shedding  the  Hair 151 

Abortion, 151 

Wounds  and  Bruises, 152 

Cramp,  or  Drawing  of  the  Nerves 152 

Castration, 153 

Salivation,  or  Slobbers, 155 

Fistula, 156 

Sweeney, 157 

Galled  Back, 157 

The  Sheatli  and  Penis, 158 

Spring  Halt, 159 

Stifle, 159 

Splent, 161 

Spavins, 161 

Swelled  Legs,  or  Weed, 163 

Ring-Boue,  ...    • 163 

Scratches,  or  Selenders, 164 

Diseases  of  the  Feet 1 65 

NEAT  CATTLE. 

Marksof  a  Good  Cow, 169 

Marks  of  a  Good  Working  Ox, 170 

To  ascertain  the  Age  of  Cattle, 170 

Training, 172 

Food, 174 

Managing  and  Feeding  Working  Oxen, 176 

Feeding  and  Managing  Milch  Cows, 177 


X  CONTENTS. 

Soiling, 179 

General  Management, 179 

Rearing  Calves, 180 

The  Hair  and  Skin, 132 

Perspiration, 183 

Currying  and  Friction, 183 

The  Pulse, 133 

Organs  of  Digestion, H4 

Civing  Medicine  to  Ruminants, 185 

Free  Martins, 185 

Hots  in  Cattle, 185 

Warbles,  or  Grubs  in  the  Back 186 

Lice, 186 

Physic, .187 

Diuretics, 188 

Hernia,  or  Rupture 188 

Colic ■ 1-59 

Warts,  Wens,  and  Tumors, 190 

Loss  of  Cud, 190 

Over-Heating  and  Over-Drawing, 191 

Mad  Itch 192 

Jaundice,  or  Yellows, 192 

Wounds, 193 

Fever, 194 

Inflammation  of  the  Bowels,  and  Costiveness, 194 

Vomiting, , 195 

Rabies,  or  Madness,  (see  also  page  277,) 196 

Staggers, 197 

Inflammation  of  the  Brain, 197 

Horn  or  Head-Ail 193 

Tail  Sickness, 200 

Hoof-Ail,      20C 

Wolf,  or  Holdfast, 201 

Colds,  Cough,  and  Hoose 201 

Inflammation  of  the  Lungs 203 

Husk,  or  Hoose,  in  Calves 203 

Diarrhoea,  or  Looseness, 20<» 

Dysentery, 204 

Looseness,  or  Scours,  in  Calves 206 

Mange,  Scurf,  or  Scab • 207 

Choking, 207 

Blain,  or  Bladders 208 

Black  Tongue, 209 

Hoveu,  or  Bloat, 209 

Ulcers, 212 

Milk  Sickness, 212 


CONTENTS.  XI 

Bloody  Murrain, 214 

Red  Water,  or  Bloody  Murrain, 217 

Black  Leg,  or  Blood, 220 

Inflammation  of  the  Bladder, 222 

Stub  Complaint, 223 

Inflammation  of  the  Shape, 223 

Bone  Disorder, 224 

To  prevent  a  Cow  sucking  herself, 223 

Kicking  and  Refractory  Cows, 220 

To  cause  a  Cow  to  give  down  her  Milk,      226 

For  Cows  drying  up  suddenly 22G 

Drying  up  a  Cow, 227 

Perforating  Cows'  Dugs,      227 

Abortion,  or  slinking  Calf,      227 

Management  of  Cows  before  Calving 229 

Milking  Cows  before  Calving, 230 

Management  at  Calving,      231 

Management  after  Calving, 237 

Cows  eating  the  Placenta, 238 

Giving  Cows  Biestings, 233 

Sore  Teats  and  Udders, 239 

Milk  Fever,  or  Dropping  after  Calving, 239 

Garget, 240 

To  cause  a  Cow  to  go  with  Young, 240 

Broken  Horns, 241 

SHEEP. 

To  know  the  Age  of  Sheep, 243 

General  Management, 243 

Treatment  of  Sheep  after  Shearing, 246 

Lambs, 247 

Wool  in  the  Stomachs  of  Lambs 248 

Browse  for  Sheep, 249 

Castration, 250 

Tails  of  Sheep— Docking  Lambs, 250 

Physic,      251 

Manner  of  Bleeding, 251 

Excretory  Ducts  in  the  Feet, 252 

To  destroy  Vermin 252 

Scab, „ 253 

Stoppages  in  the  Throat, 255 

Sore  Mouth  and  Johnswort  Scab,       255 

Disorders  of  the  Eyes 255 

Worms  in  the  Head, 256 

Sturdy,  or  Water  in  the  Head, 258 

Inflammation  of  the  Braiu, 259 


Xll  CONTENTS. 

Apoplexy, 260 

Staggers, 260 

Foul  Noses, 261 

Influenza,     261 

Scours,  or  Diarrhoea, 261 

Dysentery, 263 

Rot 263 

Fever, 265 

Consumption, .  266 

Stretches 266 

Braxv 267 

Drop'sv, 267 

Foot-Rot, 268 

Hoven  —  Aborti  on  —  Swelled     Udders  —  Management 

when  with  Young, 269 

SWINE. 

To  preserve  Health, 271 

Issues 272 

Swellings, 272 

Ruptures 272 

Giving  Drenches, 273 

A  General  Medicine 273 

Disorder,      273 

Fever, 273 

Swine  Pox, 273 

Catarrh 273 

Measles, 273 

Itch,  or  Mange, 274 

Blind  Staggers, 274 

Is  Tobacco  Poisonous  to  Hogs  ? 274 

Sore  Throat, 274 

Q.uincy, 276 

Scours, 275 

Black  Teeth 275 

Kidney  Worms, 275 

Murrain, 276 

Sows  devouring  their  Offspring, 276 

Sows  after  Littering, 276 

Abortion  from  Biestings, 276 

Dogs, 277 

Hens, 281 

Turkeys  — Ducks, 283 

Geese  — Birds  — Bees, 284 

Principles  of  Breeding, .  .  .  .  28S 


DISEASES 

OF 

DOMESTIC  ANIMALS. 


Domestic  Animals  lessen  the  solitude  and  retirement 
of  the  country.  They  please  us  with  their  gambols  when 
young,  and  by  their  actions  in  maturer  life.  They  fur- 
nish the  means  of  improving  the  soil,  and  perpetuating 
its  fertility ;  and  we  are  gratified  with  our  sovereignty 
over  them. 

The  Horse  greatly  adds  to  our  pleasure  and  our 
profit  by  his  labor  in  the  field  and  on  the  road,  and  his 
lleetness  in  carrying  us  from  place  to  place.  He  aids  in 
keeping  up  a  communication  with  distant  sections  of  the 
country,  and  serves  as  a  necessary  part  of  the  cement 
of  civilized  society.  He  administers  to  our  health,  as 
well  as  to  our  pleasure  and  general  welfare.  He  often 
evinces  great  sagacity,  and  a  strong  attachment  for  his 
master. 

Neat  Cattle  contribute  largely  to  the  blessings  and 
comforts  of  life.  The  strength  and  patience  of  the  ox  in 
the  plough  and  team,  have  greatly  contributed  to  the 
wealth  and  happiness  of  the  husbandman,  in  every  age 
of  the  world.  The  cow  has  strong  demands  upon  our 
gratitude.  Her  milk  furnishes  subsistence  to  a  great 
part  of  mankind ;  and  its  products  in  cream,  butter,  and 
cheese,  form  agreeable  parts  of  the  sustenance  and 
luxuries  of  our  table.  A  pustule  upon  her  udder  sup- 
plies a  matter,  which,  when  introduced  into  the  human 
system,  defends  it  from  one  of  the  most  fatal  and  loath- 
some scourges  that  ever  afflicted  mankind.  Their  flesh 
affords  an  agreeable  nutriment ;  their  tallow  serves  as  a 
substitute  for  the  sun,  and  enables  us  to  prosecute  our 
business  during  a  part  of  the  long  and  dreary  night.  Their 
2 


14  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

hair  affords  a  necessary  ingredient  in  plaster ;  their  skins 
protect  our  feet  from  injuries  and  the  weather,  and  fur- 
nish covering  for  books,  carriages,  trunks,  and  form  the 
best  material  for  harnesses,  saddles,  bands,  and  many 
other  valuable  purposes.  Their  horns  supply  combs, 
and,  with  their  bones,  are  used  in  a  variety  of  ways. 

Sheep  are  a  pattern  of  innocence  and  a  symbol  of 
purity.  In  all  nations,  and  in  all  ages  of  the  world,  their 
ilesh  has  been  admired  as  a  delicious  and  wholesome 
food  ;  and  they  annually  yield  their  warm  and  liberal 
fleeces  to  defend  us  from  rigorous  cold,  protect  us  from 
inclement  weather,  and  contribute  to  comfort,  elegance, 
and  taste. 

The  Hog,  while  living,  will  make  manure  for  the 
farmer,  being  one  of  the  most  useful  of  manufacturers 
for  this  purpose  ;  and  at  his  death,  he  furnishes  his 
flesh  for  food,  his  bristles  for  brushes,  and  other  impor- 
tant uses,  his  fat  for  medical  and  culinary  purposes,  and 
his  oil  for  light. 

The  Doa  is  distinguished  for  his  courage  and  fidelity 
in  defending  our  persons  and  property ;  for  his  strong 
attachment  for  his  master ;  and,  in  many  cases,  his  sa- 
gacity in  saving  the  life  of  his  friends,  commands  our 
admiration,  and  commends  him  to  our  kindness  and 
attention. 

Poultry  have  strong  claims  upon  our  kindness  and 
care.  They  adorn  our  yards  and  fruit-trees  with  their 
beautiful  plumage  and  various  lively  actions.  They 
inform  us  of  the  approach  of  day.  They  furnish 
quills  for  writing,  and  feathers  for  beds ;  and  their 
eggs  and  flesh  are  a  mild  sustenance  for  the  invalid,  a 
delicious  food  for  the  hale,  and  a  banquet  to  grace  the 
board  of  hospital  it}'  and  elegance. 

Although  different  species  of  animals  differ  materially 
in  some  respects,  yet  they  are  nearly  the  same  in  others. 
In  regard  to  good,  wholesome  food,  pure  water,  fresh 
air,  exercise,  dieting,  abstinence,  protection  from  expo- 
sure, kind  treatment,  and  general  management,  the 
same,  or  nearly  the  same  rules  and  remarks  apply  to 
all ;  and  some  few  diseases,  their  causes,  the  treatment 
and  remedies,  are  nearly  the  same  in  all. 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  15 

Therefore,  to  save  repetition,  and  comprise  as  much 
useful  matter  as  possible  in  this  compend,  we  have 
arranged,  under  the  general  head  of  "Domestic  Ani- 
mals," several  articles  that  appertain  to  all,  or  to  several 
kinds ;  and  we  have  treated  of  those  diseases  and  the 
management  peculiar  to  each  species,  under  their  appro- 
priate heads.  Owing  to  this  arrangement  of  the  work, 
those  who  consult  it,  on  the  diseases  of  any  species, 
should  consider  these  general  articles  first. 

TREATMENT   OF   SICK   ANIMALS. 

There  are  many  erroneous  notions  prevalent  in  the 
community,  in  regard  to  the  treatment  of  sick  animals, 
and  numerous  unnatural  and  injurious  practices  prevail, 
in  consequence  of  these  notions.  If  animals  could 
speak,  they  would  tell  sad  tales  of  "wrongs  and  out- 
rage." 

No  wonder  that  this  course  is  pursued  with  animals, 
when  we  consider  that  many  human  beings  frequently 
have  their  stomachs  converted  into  apothecaries'  shops, 
and  after  taking  emetics  and  purges,  emptying  the 
stomach  and  washing  it  out,  the  patient,  poor  and  debil- 
itated by  the  severe  operations  and  necessary  starvation 
attendant  upon  them,  is  again  built  up,  with  all  possible 
despatch,  by  roast  beef,  baked  lamb,  boiled  pork,  and  o 
host  of  other  substantial  dishes,  and  numerous  condi- 
ments to  excite  the  appetite ;  when  a  little  abstinence, 
allowing  the  over-tasked  digestive  organs  a  little  rest, 
would  have  cured,  without  impairing  the  powers  of  the 
system. 

"We  recommend  to  owners  of  animals  to  exercise 
common  sense,  act  with  moderation  and  discretion,  and 
not  take  hasty  and  harsh  measures,  and  kill  an  animal 
by  rough  treatment,  and  by  numerous  and  powerful 
doses,  when,  perhaps,  if  he  was  left  for  nature  to  do  her 
own  work,  first  removing  the  cause  of  disease,  he  would 
recover  without  medical  aid.  Be  cautious  against  too 
much  doctoring.    Remember  the  distich, 

"  You  say  you  doctored  me  when  lately  ill ; 
To  prove  you  did  n't,  I  'm  living  still." 


16  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

Remember,  also,  the  remark  of  a  celebrated  physician 
of  England,  whom  the  faculty  attempted  to  keep  down, 
as  he  was  not  rising  by  rule,  but  who  came  up  in  spite 
of  their  influence,  and  when  he  had  attained  eminence, 
and  become  a  celebrated  lecturer,  he  often  told  his  stu- 
dents, that  when  they  had  pursued  a  regular  course  of 
treatment  with  a  patient,  and  noted  the  treatment  and 
his  condition  from  time  to  time,  till  he  recovered,  it  was 
of  the  greatest  importance  to  consider  whether  he  got 
well  by  virtue  of  the  medicine,  or  in  spite  of  it.  This 
remark  shows  profound  wisdom,  and  a  monument 
should  be  built  to  the  memory  of  the  man  who  made  it ; 
to  him  who  saves  life,  by  wise  direction,  rather  than  to 
him  who,  as  a  hero,  destroys  it. 

Diseases,  directly  opposite  in  their  nature,  are  often 
treated  with  the  same  medicine.  A  quack  once  said  to 
his  patient,  who  was  taking  his  medicine  without  amend- 
ment, "My  medicine  is  good  for  all  diseases."  '-But," 
says  the  patient,  "  I  want  a  powerful  medicine  applying 
directly  to  my  peculiar  disease,  which  is  severe  and 
obstinate."  He  dismissed  his  medical  attendant,  pro- 
cured a  simple  medicine  of  a  friend,  good  for  that  par- 
ticular disease,  and  he  immediately  recovered.  This 
shows  the  folly  of  giving  medicines  at  random,  or  giving 
general  medicines  without  regard  to  their  quality  or  the 
nature  of  the  disease.  The  disorder  should  be  well 
known,  and  the  medicine  and  treatment  particularly 
adapted  to  it. 

Most  diseases  in  animals  closely  resemble  those  of  the 
human  family,  and  require  similar  treatment,  though  with 
some  variation  and  peculiarities,  but  not  those  outra- 
geous departures  from  common  sense  which  are  often 
witnessed. 

A  horse  with  pleurisy  or  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  or 
apoplexy,  requires  a  very  different  treatment  from  one 
with  colic  or  worms. 

There  is,  everywhere,  too  great  a  propensity  to  resort 
at  once  to  active  treatment  and  powerful  medicines, 
without  proper  regard  to  the  disease,  its  causes,  the  symp- 
toms, or  the  remedy ;  forgetting,  or  perhaps  never  having 
learned,  that  there  is  in  nature  a  restorative  power,  under 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  17 

favorable  circumstances,  and  the  grand  object  of  all 
medicines,  and  all  treatment,  is  to  assist  nature. 

In  the  human  family,  great  cures  are  performed  by 
proper  attention  to  food,  abstinence,  exercise,  air,  bath- 
ing, rest,  and  to  the  various  habits  of  the  patient. 
Some  severe  and  obstinate  diseases,  that  have  refused  to 
yield  to  the  most  powerful  medicines,  have  been  com- 
pletely conquered  by  abstinence  —  even  sometimes  ap- 
proaching to  starvation. 

"Why  should  not  some  of  these  gentle  means,  or  the 
last  severe  course,  if  necessary,  be  pursued  with  brute 
patients  ? 

Keep  animals  constantly  under  favorable  circum- 
stances for  health  ;  and,  in  case  of  sickness,  remove  and 
withhold  all  causes  of  irritation  and  disease,  and  place 
the  patient  under  the  most  favorable  .treatment  for 
recovery.  Keep  the  bowels  open,  the  skin  clean  and 
well  rubbed ;  give  pure  water,  good  food,  suited  to  the 
condition,  fresh  air,  yet  protect  from  exposure  ;  and  but 
very  little  medicine  will  be  necessary,  excepting  in 
sudden  attacks  with  acute  diseases. 

Judicious  management  is  the  main  thing,  both  in 
preserving  and  restoring  health.  We  say  of  good  man- 
agement  in  regard  to  animals,  as  Demosthenes  said  of 
pronunciation  in  oratory,  —  it  is  the  FIRST,  the  second, 
and  the  third  important  requisite. 

TO  PROMOTE  THE  HEALTH  OF  STOCK. 

Under  various  heads,  in  other  parts  of  this  work,  we 
have  given  directions  for  the  management  of  stock ;  we 
here  give  some  general  rules,  with  a  few  remarks  on 
subjects  not  elsewhere  considered. 

Mix,  occasionally,  one  part  of  salt  with  four,  five,  or  six 
parts  of  wood  ashes,  and  give  the  mixture  to  different 
kinds  of  stock,  summer  and  winter.  It  promotes  their 
appetite,  and  tends  to  keep  them  in  a  healthy  condition. 
It  is  said  to  be  good  against  bots  in  horses,  murrain  in 
cattle,  and  rot  in  sheep. 

A  correspondent  of  the  "  Southern  Planter"  says,  that 
he  put  ashes  into  his  hogpen,  and  sprinkled  them  with 
2* 


18  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

salt,  and  his  hogs  ate  greedily  of  the  mixture.  He  gave 
it  to  his  cattle,  and  they  improved  wonderfully.  We 
have  given  it  to  cattle  and  sheep,  apparently  with  good 
effect.  They  eat  it  freely.  It  neutralizes  the  acid  in  the 
stomach. 

Horseradish  root  is  valuable  for  cattle.  It  creates 
an  appetite,  and  is  good  for  various  diseases.  Some  give 
it  to  any  animal  that  is  unwell.  It  is  good  for  oxen 
troubled  with  the  heat.  If  animals  will  not  eat  it  volun- 
tarily, cut  it  up  fine  and  mix  it  with  potatoes  or  meal. 

A  quart  or  two  of  new  chamber  lye,  frequently  given 
to  each  animal  is  a  preventive  of  disease.  A  piece  of 
rosin,  the  size  of  an  egg,  pounded  fine  and  given  to  a 
horse  oi:ce  a  month,  in  his  provender,  is  excellent  for 
keeping  him  in  good  health ;  it  keeps  the  urinary  pas- 
sages open. 

Feed  all  animals  regularly.  They  not  only  look  for 
their  food  at  the  usual  time,  but  the  stomach  indicates 
the  want  at  the  stated  period.  Therefore  feed,  morning, 
noon  and  evening,  as  near  the  same  time  as  possible. 

Guard  against  the  wide  and  injurious  extremes  of 
satiating  with  excess  and  starving  with  want.  Food 
should  be  of  a  suitable  quality,  and  proportioned  to  the 
growth  and  fattening  of  animals,  to  their  production  in 
young  and  milk,  and  to  their  labor  or  exercise.  Animals 
that  labor  need  far  more  food,  and  that  which  is  more 
nutritious,  than  those  that  are  idle. 

Those  with  young  should  be  well  kept,  as  they  have 
an  extra  draught  upon  their  resources  ;  but  they  should 
not  have  very  rich  food,  as  high  condition,  in  such 
cases,  is  often  attended  with  difficulty  and  danger. 

Animals  with  young  will  do  better  by  having  moderate 
exercise,  as  it  tends  to  insure  health,  strength,  and  per- 
fection in  their  offspring.  When  giving  milk  they  should 
have  an  abundance  of  rich  food,  but  not  such  as  will  tend 
too  much  to  flesh  and  fat,  nor  so  much  to  milk  as  to 
make  them  poor. 

Males  used  for  propagating  their  species  extensively, 
should  be  well  kept  at  all  seasons,  and  fed  high  at  the 
time  their  services  are  most  in  demand ;  and,  at  other 
seasons,  they  should  have  a  moderate  share  of  exercise, 
to  give  them  strength,  symmetry  and  health. 


DISEASES   OF   ANIMALS.  19 

Young  animals,  that  are  growing  fast,  are  very  hearty 
and  need  good  keeping.  Those  that  are  fattening  require 
rich  food  and  a  good  supply.  Yet  there  are  seasons  in 
which  some  animals  are  not  growing,  fattening,  nor 
laboring,  and  there  are  no  heavy  draughts  upon  them ;  in 
such  cases  they  should  be  fed  only  moderately,  and  with 
plain  food,  as  that  which  is  rich  will  tend  to  cloying  and 
disease. 

In  grazing,  animals  are  often  injured  and  their  health 
destroyed,  by  feeding  on  unwholesome  plants  in  luxuri- 
ant, wet,  marshy  lands,  and  by  the  unwholesome  exha- 
lations and  water  of  such  regions.  In  such  cases,  give 
salt,  ashes,  a  little  salt-petre  noAV  and  then,  tar,  and  other 
condiments  that  are  conducive  to  health ;  and  keep  ani- 
mals from  such  lands  at  night,  and  supply  with  water 
from  high  lands,  if  possible. 

Unwholesome  food  is  often  fed  to  animals  in  winter, 
such  as  bad  grain,  musty  hay,  and  other  fodder,  and 
hay  salted  too  highly,  to  save  it  when  got  in  green.  In 
such  cases  a  peck  of  salt  to  a  ton  is  too  much,  if  it  all  be 
salted  at  this  rate ;  for  thirteen  cows  will  eat  about  a  ton 
of  hay  in  a  week ;  and  we  have  observed  that  when  cattle 
are  at  grass,  at  a  season  in  which  they  eat  more  salt  than 
in  winter,  thirteen  grown  animals  will  not,  on  an  average, 
through  the  summer,  eat  four  quarts  of  salt  a  week,  given 
to  them  twice.  This  would  indicate  four  quarts  to  a  ton 
to  be  an  abundance. 

Musty  hay  is  improved  by  cutting  and  moistening 
with  water,  adding  occasionally  a  little  salt  to  the  water, 
if  no  salt  was  put  on  the  hay. 

Guard  all  descriptions  of  stock  against  cold  and  expo- 
sure, especially  against  cold  storms  of  rain,  sleet  and 
damp  snow,  and  against  lying  out  on  the  cold  ground,  in 
cool  nights,  in  the  spring  and  fall. 

In  a  dry  time,  see  that  animals  have  a  good  supply  of 
pure  water.  When  the  fountains  are  low,  they  drink  the 
drainings  of  fountains,  streams,  and  passages  of  water, 
which  are  unwholesome. 

If  barns  and  stables  are  very  tight  and  warm,  ventilate 
ux  mild  weather,  even  in  winter. 

In  feeding  animals  on  apples  or  roots,  begin  with  a 


20  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

small  quantity  and  gradually  increase  it.  It  would  be 
better  to  have  all  changes  in  food  made  gradually,  when 
there  is  a  material  difference  in  the  nature  of  the  food; 
as  from  hay  to  grass,  and  the  reverse ;  from  much  fodder 
to  much  grain,  and  the  reverse. 

COMFORT  OF  ANIMALS. 

An  animal  may  be  well  fed,  and  apparently  well 
attended,  and  yet  be  uncomfortable,  owing  to  an  uneven 
floor  to  stand  or  rest  on,  a  bad  rack  or  manger,  or  some 
other  inconvenience  in  the  stable.  There  may  be  a  want 
of  exercise,  or  condiments,  or  change  of  food,  pure  air, 
currying,  pure  water,  or  something  else  necessary  to 
comfort.  He  may  breathe  on  his  food,  and  render  it 
offensive ;  something  not  very  apparent  may  incom- 
mode, vex,  tease,  or  render  the  animal  in  some  way  un- 
comfortable. Of  course,  his  digestion  is  impaired,  his 
appetite  declines,  he  will  not  grow  or  fatten,  and  is  unfit 
for  labor,  and  the  female  will  not  be  in  good  condition 
for  propagation,  or  yielding  plentifully  good,  wholesome 
milk.     Therefore,  make  your  animals  comfortable. 

EXERCISE. 

The  health  of  man  depends  more  on  exercise  in  the 
open  air  than  on  any  other  one  thing.  A  proper  diet, 
bathing,  protection  from  exposure,  regular  rest,  regu 
larity  in  meals,  suitable  employment  for  the  body  and 
mind,  freedom  from  trouble  and  vexation,  and  many 
other  favorable  circumstances,  are  all  conducive  to  health, 
and  some  of  them  highly  important,  and  to  those  who  do 
not  exercise,  they  are  not  only  indispensable  to  health, 
but  to  life  ;  for  they  cannot  live  without  great  attention  to 
them. 

But,  as  important  as  these  are,  let  a  man  of  common 
constitution  be  accustomed  to  a  plenty  of  exercise  in  the 
open  air,  and  he  will  often  bid  defiance  to  them  all ;  and 
even  contend  strongly  for  many  a  long  year  against  the 
gigantic  monster  intemperance.  He  will  li\e  on  the  fat 
of  the  land,  or  flourish  on  plain  living  or  hard  fare.    He 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


21 


will  neglect  bathing  for  a  whole  year,  unless  he  is  caught 
in  a  shower.  He  will  bear  the  sun  of  a  torrid  summer, 
and  face  old  Boreas  in  the  sternest  winter ;  he  will  take 
Jack  Frost  by  the  nose,  and  manage  him  to  his  advan- 
tage ;  will  handle  him  in  all  shapes  and  conditions,  and 
even  pack  him  up,  send  him  off,  and  sell  him. 

He  will  sleep  ten  hours  a  night,  if  necessary  to  kill 
time ;  or  he  will  sleep  fast,  and  occasionally  get  along 
comfortably  with  only  a  few  hours'  rest.  He  can  eat  four 
or  five  meals  a  clay,  when  convenient,  and  at  other  times, 
he  will  flourish  on  two  meals,  and  in  cases  of  necessity  he 
will  endure  labor  on  only  one.  He  will  attend  to  any 
employment,  or,  Yankee  like,  pursue  every  profession 
under  the  sun.  And  he  will  stem  a  torrent  of  vexation 
and  trouble. 

We  have  spoken  of  bipeds,  as  their  habits  and  the 
influence  of  their  habits  are  accurately  known ;  for 

"  How  can  we  reason  but  from  what  we  know  V 

Now,  when  we  see  that  in  man  exercise  is  of  more  im- 
portance to  health  than  anything  else,  and  consider  that 
animals  in  a  state  of  nature  take  much  exercise  in  pro- 
curing their  sustenance,  or  as  a  matter  of  pleasure,  and 
are  consequently  in  good  health,  should  they  not  have 
exercise  in  a  domestic  state,  when,  from  high  feeding, 
and  plethoric  habits,  they  have  far  more  need  of  it  ? 

This  subject  has  never  received  the  attention  its  im 
portance  demands,  and  we  fear  that  it  never  will ;  but 
we  make  these  remarks,  hoping  that,  in  many  cases,  they 
will  set.  the  intelligent  and  discriminating  to  thinking, 
and  lead  to  improvement.  We  pursue  a  course  with 
animals  which  would  kill  ourselves,  and  when  they  are 
half  dead  from  inaction  and  repletion,  we  kill  and  con- 
sume them,  and  thus  live  fast  and  short  —  wearing  out 
our  machine  by  too  much  speed,  or  we  are  suddenly 
thrown  off  the  track  and  smashed  —  unless  we  save  our- 
selves from  these  evils  by  an  abundance  of  exercise. 

But  the  wise  man,  in  addition  to  this  first  thing  for  the 
preservation  of  health,  will  attend  to  all  others  also ;  for 
although  of  minor  importance  compared  with  exercise, 
yet  they  are  of  great  moment.    The  subject  of  healthy 


22  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

meats  should  receive  particular  attention  in  regard  to 
exercise,  this  indispensable  requisite  to  health  —  this 
emphaticai  sine  qua  non,  (not  -without  which.) 

Let  all  animals  have  suitable  exercise ;  it  is  alike  con- 
ducive to  their  health,  comfort  and  happiness ;  and  it 
contributes  largely  to  their  utility  for  every  purpose  for 
which  we  keep  them,  whether  for  labor,  propagation,  for 
the  production  of  milk,  or  for  their  flesh. 

ABSTINENCE. 

A  great  many  diseases  may  be  cured  by  abstinence, 
or  by  living  a  few  days,  or  longer,  if  necessary,  on  light 
food.  Many  a  person,  by  living  on  gruel,  porridge, 
potatoes,  turnips,  fruits,  and  other  light  food,  for  a  short 
time,  has  warded  off  threatened  disease,  or  saved  him- 
self from  active  treatment  under  medicine  that  would 
have  prostrated  him,  weakened  the  powers  of  digestion, 
and  perhaps  impaired  the  strength  of  the  constitution. 

Physicians  generally,  and  the  most  skilful  in  particu- 
lar, are  too  wise  to  take  much  medicine,  however  lib- 
erally they  may  deal  it  out  to  satisfy  the  expectations 
of  their  anxious  patients,  who  depend  mostly  on  them 
for  recovery.  Howard,  Napoleon,  and  many  other  dis- 
tinguished men,  who  had  a  great  knowledge  of  the 
human  system,  seldom  took  medicine:  but,  on  the 
approach  of  disease,  they  fasted,  or  lived  abstemiously, 
and  thus  avoided  sickness.  We  make  these  remarks 
with  a  view  of  urging  the  importance  of  abstinence,  or 
light  feeding,  in  treating  animals  that  are  suffering  from 
inflammatory  complaints,  and  various  diseases  brought 
on  by  too  rich  and  too  liberal  feeding.  Light  food,  such 
as  bran  mashes,  roots  in  small  quantities,  coarse  fod- 
der, straw,  &c  ,  will  fill '  he  stomach,  satisfy  and  make 
the  animal  comfortable,  and  prevent  the  danger  that 
might  arise  from  an  empty  stomach,  in  case  of  total 
abstinence,  and  yet  afford  but  little  nutriment  to  support 
inflammation,  and  feed  a  disease.  In  this  way,  many 
diseases  may  be  prevented  by  timely  consideration,  and 
this  course  of  treatment,  while  the  animal  is  under 
disease,  may  cure,  or  serve  as  a  valuable  auxiliary  in 
connection  with  the  medicines. 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  23 

Those  who  consult  this  work  will  please  bear  this 
subject  in  mind,  and  regard  its  importance  in  those 
cases  in  which  light  food  is  recommended ;  for  more  can 
be  done  to  keep  an  animal  in  health,  or  restore  health 
when  he  is  diseased,  by  good  management,  than  by 
medicines. 

Nature  wisely  provides  that  our  appetites  shall  fail 
when  we  are  sick  and  the  system  cannot  dispose  of  food. 
We  should  improve  upon  this  hint,  and  prevent  sickness 
by  moderation  in  all  things.  On  this  our  health  and  life 
depend.  And  as  health  depends  so  much  on  temper- 
ance in  eating  and  drinking,  so,  in  case  of  illness,  resto- 
ration to  health  depends  greatly  on  abstinence,  or  light 
food.  Few  are  aware  of  its  importance ;  many  who 
are  essentially  benefited  by  it,  lose  sight  of  the  cause. 

A  man,  who  was  sick  from  high  living,  consulted  a 
physician,  who  put  him  on  the  most  rigid,  spare  diet,  as 
the  only  means  of  restoring  health.  He  pursued  it 
awhile ;  (suffering  like  the  famous  Sancho  Panza,  who 
saw  the  table  groaning  beneath  rich  viands  which  he 
dared  not  taste ;)  at  length  he  resolved  that  his  belly, 
which  was  his  god,  should  be  filled  with  something  bet- 
ter than  gruel  and  bran,  and  he  nullified  the  physician's 
directions,  and  soon  demolished  a  plate  of  mutton  chops, 
and  washed  it  down  with  brand}',  and  then  said  that 
these  things  cured  him  of  such  a  disease ;  giving  the 
physician  no  credit  for  curing  him  by  starvation,  allow- 
ing his  system  rest,  and  chance  to  regain  its  powers  of 
digestion,  so  as  to  dispose  of  anything  that  was  put 
into  it. 

Another  case  directly  to  the  point :  —  A  young  man 
was  ailing,  and  it  was  thought  that  he  was  going  into  a 
decline.  He  consulted  several  physicians,  and  tried 
their  prescriptions,  but  in  vain ;  and  mesmerism  was 
tried,  with  no  better  success.  A  friend  proposed  to 
undertake  his  cure,  if  he  would  follow  his  severe  direc- 
tions ;  to  which  he  agreed.  He  was  kept  on  gruel,  and 
only  a  small  allowance  of  that,  as  his  case  was  an  obsti- 
nate one.  Under  this  regimen  he  recovered,  and  we 
saw  him  some  months  after,  hale  and  robust,  pursuing 
the  sturdy  labors  of  the  farm. 


24  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

The  sick  often  injure  themselves  by  feasting,  being 
tempted  by  the  excellent,  rich  dishes  provided  for  them. 
The  following  is  an  illustration :  An  invalid  had  a 
favorite  food  prepared  for  his  weak  stomach  ;  and  when 
he  had  despatched  the  eleventh  dumpling,  and  was  about 
making  an  attack  on  the  last,  his  little  daughter  ex- 
claimed, "  Oh !  dad,  give  me  dat !  "  when  he  replied,  with 
a  most  lugubrious  countenance,  and  in  a  melancholy 
tone,  "  Go  away,  child ;  poor  dad  is  sick  !  " 

We  give  these  cases  as  illustrations,  as  they  show  the 
importance  of  abstinence,  where  we  can  and  have  judged 
of  its  effects.  By  reasoning,  we  can  see  its  bearing  on 
the  health  of  domestic  animals,  and  make  the  applica- 
tion j  for,  in  this  respect,  all  animals  are  much  the  same, 
whether  two-legged  or  four-legged. 

UNHEALTHY  MEAT. 

Great  labor  injures  meat.  A  fat  ox  was  overworked, 
and  then  killed,  and  his  flesh  sent  to  market.  Of  twenty- 
four  persons  who  ate  of  the  meat,  fourteen  died,  mostly 
with  diseases  of  the  stomach  and  bowels. 

Driving  animals  rapidly  in  hot  weather,  so  as  to  pro- 
duce excessive  fatigue  and  exhaustion,  renders  their 
meat  unwholesome,  as  well  as  unsavory ;  hence  the 
superiority  of  the  meat  of  animals  brought  to  market  in 
steamboats  and  cars,  or  allowed  to  travel  leisurely,  feed 
by  the  roadside,  and  gain  on  the  way,  over  that  of  ani 
mals  driven  rapidly,  and  far,  in  hot  weather. 

All  very  young  meats  are  hard  to  digest,  and  of  course 
unwholesome.  A  calf  at  three  weeks  old  is  harder  to 
digest  than  an  ox  at  ten.  A  young  pig  is  more  unwhole- 
some than  a  piece  of  an  old  hog.  A  chicken  one  month 
old  is  more  difficult  of  digestion  than  a  hen  of  one  year. 
Young  animals,  in  this  respect,  are  like  fruits,  that  not 
only  lack  maturity,  but  are  only  partially  grown.  With 
this  view  of  the  subject,  the  authorities  of  Paris  have 
ordained  that  no  veal  shall  be  offered  for  sale,  unless 
the  calf  was  six  weeks  old. 

Putrid  exhalations  produce  obstructions  and  ulcers  in 
the  livers  of  animals,  which  render  them  unfit  for  food  ; 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  26 

hence  the  importance  of  pure  air  for  healthy  meat.  Any- 
thing  that  tends  to  make  animals  unhealthy,  tends  also 
to  render  their  flesh  unwholesome. 

Animals  are  always  unwholesome  in  the  season  in 
which  they  propagate  their  species.  Hence  the  wisdom 
of  that  church  which  substitutes  fish  for  flesh  during  a 
part  of  the  spring  months. 

Even  the  heat  of  summer,  in  middle  climates,  renders 
their  flesh  unwholesome.  Hence  the  propriety  of  living 
mostly  on  vegetable  food,  with  a  small  portion  of  salted 
meat,  during  the  summer  and  early  part  of  autumn. 

Animals  sometimes  become  so  fat  that  they  cannot  see, 
and  for  weeks  or  months  before  their  death,  cannot  get 
up  without  help.  Such  have  the  fat  disease,  that  would 
soon  destroy  them ;  hit  they  are  saved  from  waste  by  being 
killed  and  eaten.  Some  animals  are  kept  in  filth  and 
foul  exhalations,  and  are  fed  on  the  most  nasty  and 
putrid  vegetable  and  animal  matter,  taking  no  exercise, 
and  are  thus  fatted  without  a  breath  of  fresh  air,  or  a 
mouthful  of  pure  food.  This  course  would  soon  termi- 
nate their  existence,  but  the  butcher's  knife  kindly  saves 
them  from  a  lingering  death,  and  they  are  sold  in  the 
market,  and  eaten  by  the  purchaser,  who  is  unconscious 
that  death  is  in  the  pot. 

Some  persons  are  so  great  epicures  that  they  only  wish 
to  feast  on  those  fat  meats  that  the  man  of  common  sense 
would  pronounce  fit  only  to  aid  in  the  composition  of 
soap.  They  seem  to  live  merely  for  the  sake  of  eating, 
but  they  defeat  their  own  purpose,  by  living  too  highly, 
and  feasting  on  meats  so  rich  and  unwholesome  that 
their  career  is  as  short  as  it  is  inglorious. 

In  and  about  cities  there  is  a  vast  amount  of  filth,  fit 
only  for  manure,  that  is  converted  into  food  for  man ; 
and  with  so  little  change,  that  the  meat  produced  from 
it  engenders  disease  and  death.  To  insure  life  and 
health,  an  animal,  as  well  as  man,  should  have  pure 
air,  pure  food  and  exercise ;  and  any  deviation  from 
these  rules  produces  disease,  and  those  who  eat  diseased 
matter,  animal  or  vegetable,  violate  nature's  laws,  and 
must,  sooner  or  later,  pay  the  sad  penalty  annexed  to 
the  transgression ;  no  matter  whether  they  do  it  from 
3 


26  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

temerity  or  indiscretion,  —  she  knows  no  exceptions. 
Her  laws  are  indexible,  — as  fixed  as  those  of  the  Medes 
and  Persians. 

Again  we  say.  keep  your  animals,  for  your  own  eat- 
ing, on  wholesome  food,  pure  water,  and  in  good  air; 
allow  them  exercise,  and  place  them  under  all  those 
various  circumstances  that  produce  good  health,  and  of 
course  pure  meat.  And  if  you  make,  meat  to  sell,  love 
your  neighbor  as  yourself,  and 

"  Be  to  others  kind  and  true, 
As  you  M  have  others  be  to  you." 

Steal  from  a  man's  pocket,  or  rob  him  on  the  high- 
way,—  as  criminal  as  it  is,  and  as  horrid  and  awful  as 
may  be  the  consideration  of  such  crime,  —  rather  than  rob 
him  of  his  money,  his  health,  and  his  LIFE.  Oh,  that 
the  u  ami  sacra  fames"  (cursed  love  of  gold.)  could  find 
some  less  criminal  mode  of  gratification,  some  other 
way  of  accomplishing  its  purpose,  than  that  of  tamper- 
ing with  the  health  and  life  of  human  beings  ! 

ANIMALS  DIFFER. 

There  is  not  only  a  great  diflerence  in  the  diseases 
peculiar  to  different  species  of  animals,  but  the  effects  of 
medicines  on  them  vary. 

Knowledge  of  the  diseases  of  animals  in  general  can- 
r.ot  be  inferred  from  a  knowledge  of  one  particular  spe- 
cies ;  for  in  the  diseases  of  different  races,  the  causes 
vary,  the  peculiar  nature  of  diseases  is  different,  and 
ihere  is  also  a  great  difference  in  the  effects  of  medicine 
on  different  species.  The  anatomy  and  physiology  of 
animals  differ.  The  dog  has  no  insensible  perspiration. 
Hogs  do  not  perspire  over  the  whole  system,  like  cattle 
and  horses,  but  they  have  issues  on  the  inside  of  their 
fore  legs,  which  are  an  outlet  for  the  superfious  fluids  of 
the  body. 

In  the  horse,  the  mouth  conveys  nothing  to  the  lungs 
or  from  them.  The  passages  to  the  lungs  and  to  the 
stomach  are  distinct.  The  horse  and  deep,  unlike  other 
quadrupeds,  have  no  gall  bladder.     Cattle  have  bots  in 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  27 

their  skin,  but  not  in  the  stomach,  like  the  horse,  unless 
from  associating  with  that  animal,  and  licking  the  nits 
from  him. 

Hove,  or  bloating,  is  peculiar  to  cattle  and  sheep,  from 
their  organization,  in  having  four  stomachs,  and  rumina- 
ting, or  re-chewing  their  food.     It  is  unusual  in  the  horse 

The  effects  of  medicines  on  different  species  of  ani 
mals  vary  as  much  as  their  structure  and  diseases. 
Salts,  which  are  a  valuable  physic  for  cattle  and  sheep, 
operate  on  the  horse  as  a  diuretic ;  while  aloes,  which  is 
the  surest  and  best  purgative  for  the  horse,  is  very  un 
certain  for  cattle,  and  sometimes  dangerous,  from  pro 
ducing  inflammation. 

Calomel,  rhubarb,  and  colocynth  do  not  operate  as 

Eurgatives  on  the  horse ;  nor  do  any  medicines  operate  on 
im  as  tartar  emetic  and  ipecacuanha  upon  the  human 
species.  The  horse  can  vomit  only  through  the  nose. 
Mercury  will  not  salivate  him,  (but  various  plants  will,) 
nor  will  sugar  of  lead  poison  him.  But  wheat,  the  natu 
ral  food  of  man,  is  poisonous  to  the  horse,  when  taken 
in  very  large  quantities.  Spirits  of  turpentine,  which  a 
child  may  handle  without  injury,  operates  as  caustic 
when  applied  to  the  skin  of  the  horse;  yet  it  may  be 
applied  to  sores  without  pain.  It  is  also  like  fire,  when 
applied  to  the  skin  of  the  dog.  [For  other  differences, 
see  Poisons.] 

Notwithstanding  these  and  other  peculiar  differences, 
animals  in  general  are  alike  in  many  respects,  both  as  to 
the  causes  and  nature  of  diseases,  and  some  remedies 
operate  alike  favorable  on  all.  And  as  to  treatment,  in 
regard  to  wholesome  food,  pure  water  and  air,  exer- 
cise, protection  from  cold,  wet,  excessive  heat,  regularity 
of  feeding,  diet,  keeping  the  bowels  open,  and  the  skin 
clean,  &c.  c5cc,  nearly  the  same  rules  apply  to  all. 

TRAINING   AND  BREAKING. 

Animals  shoiild  be  trained,  not  broken.  Train  up  an 
animal  in  the  way  he  should  go,  and  he  will  never  need 
breaking.  Some  let  their  animals  run  wild,  until  three 
or  four  years  old,  and  they  become  strong,  wayward,  and 


28  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

ignorant ;  and  then  they  undertake  to  break  them,  —  ami 
breaking  it  is,  emphatically;  for  they  often  break  their 
constitution,  their  courage,  their  spirit,  and  sometimes 
their  bones ;  and  occasionally  the  breakers  themselves 
get  their  own  bones  broken  in  this  hazardous  business. 

Besides  these  evils,  there  is  great  loss  of  time,  and 
frequently  a  smash  of  carriages,  a  destruction  of  har- 
nesses, and  a  large  consumption  of  whips  ;  and  the  ani- 
mal, by  this  hard  usage,  —  this  breaking  instead  of  train- 
ing, —  often  contracts  bad  habits,  from  which  he  never 
can  be  broken ;  and  frequent  fright,  and  sometimes  seri- 
ous injury,  or  loss  of  life,  is  the  consequence. 

The  most  valuable  animals  for  service,  —  the  kindest, 
the  safest,  the  most  pleasant,  and  the  most  tractable,  —  are 
those  thai  are  trained  in  the  way  they  should  go,  and 
well  educated  in  their  duties  from  their  youth,  or  infancy, 
up  to  mature  years.  In  all  this  training  there  should 
be  great  kindness ;  the  most  gentle  means  should  be 
t.sed,  and  the  young  animal  should  be  taught,  with 
patience  anil  perseverance,  what  he  should  perform ;  not 
driven  to  do  what  he  does  not  know,  what  he  cannot  un- 
derstand, while  threatened,  frightened,  and  excited  under 
the  exercise  of  arbitrary  authority  and  dictation  ;  and 
sometimes  smarting  under  the  lash,  or  groaning  under 
the  unmerciful  blows  of  the  cudgel,  until  enraged  arid 
infuriated  to  desperation. 

If  managed  with  intelligence  and  discretion,  with  due 
regard  to  their  tenderness  and  liability  to  injuries  from 
bad  treatment,  no  matter  how  early  the  training  com- 
mences, —  even  when  the  animal  is  a  few  weeks  old ;  he 
will  soon  become  familiar,  docile  and  tractable. 

While  the  animal  is  3roung,  and  unaccustomed  to  con 
trol,  and  strongly  inclined  to  follow  his  dam,  or  his  fel- 
lows, great  caution  and  kindness  should  be  used  in  urging 
him  in  away  contrary  to  his  habits  and  affections,  while 
these  form  a  ruling  passion,  and  he  has  but  little  intelli 
sence  or  knowledge ;  as  fright  and  sad  distress  would  be 
the  consequence  of  crossing  them.  Under  such  circum- 
stances, a  young  animal  may  be  shut  up  or  tied,  and  thus 
lamed  and  controlled,  but  he  should  not  be  driven  by 
brute  force,  against  his  will. 

You  rmv  confine  a  young  animal  to  a  spot  against  his 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  29 

will,  or  carry  him  in  your  arms,  by  your  superior  force, 
without  injury;  but  if  you  attempt  to  compel  him  to 
stay  on  that  spot,  or  go  the  way  you  would  have  him, 
by  the  use  of  the  lash  or  cudgel,  you  might  kill  him,  but 
you  could  not  overcome  his  inclination  while  it  is  strong- 
er than  the  love  of  life,  or  he  knows  not  the  cause  of  the 
punishment  so  liberally  and  unmercifully  inflicted. 

GESTATION. 

The  experiment  made  by  order  of  Earl  Spencer  on 
cows,  has  been  reported  in  the  Journals  of  the  Royal 
Agricultural  Society,  and  is  very  full  and  satisfactory. 
The  number  of  cows  noted  was  764 .  The  shortest  period 
in  which  a  live  calf  was  produced  was  220  days,  or  not 
much  over  seven  months ;  but  no  calf,  produced  in  less 
than  242  days,  or  about  eight  months,  could  be  raised. 
The  longest  period  of  gestation  was  313  days,  or  ten 
months  and  nine  days.  Of  the  764  cows,  314  calved 
before  the  284  days,  and  310  calved  after  the  285th  day. 
From  this  it  would  appear  that  the  probable  gestation  in 
the  cow  may  be  fixed  at  285  days,  or  nine  months  and 
twelve  days. 

The  report  of  M.  Teissier  of  Paris,  of  his  experiment, 
"made  on  the  experimental  farm  established  by  the  French 
government,  both  on  cows  and  mares,  shows  the  follow- 
ing results  :  —  Of  582  mares  which  received  the  male  but 
once,  the  shortest  period  of  gestation  was  287  days,  or 
little  less  than  nine  months  and  a  half —  and  the  longest 
419  days,  or  about  thirteen  months  and  a  half;  making 
a  difference  of  132  days,  or  over  four  months.  Of  575 
cows,  21  calved  between  the  240th  and  270th  day;  544 
calved  between  the  270th  and  the  299th  day  —  mean  282 
days  ;  and  10  calved  between  the  299th  and  321st  day 
—  mean  313  days. 

A  German  publication  gives  the  following  table :  — 

Animal.  Shortest  period.    Longest  period.      Mean  period. 

Mare 322  days.        419  days.        347  days. 

Cow 240   do.  321    do.  283    do. 

Ewe 146   do.  161    do.  154    do. 

Spw 109  do.  143    do.  115    do. 

3* 


30  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

Professor  Johnson  observes,  "  That  any  calf,  producec 
at  an  earlier  period  than  260  days,  must  be  considered 
decidedly  premature ;  and  any  period  of  gestation  exceed- 
ing 300  days  must  also  be  considered  irregular ;  but  in 
the  latter  case  the  health  of  the  produce  is  not  affected." 

Ycuatt  says  the  usual  lime  of  gestation  with  cows  is 
270  days  ;  but  Bement,  of  Albany,  who  has  made  many 
observations  on  this  subject,  finds  a  different  result.  He 
sets  it  down  at  283  or  288  days.  Mr.  Parolett,  an  English 
farmer,  found,  from  his  experiments,  that  sheep  went 
with  young  from  144  to  158  days.  Those  that  came 
earliest  were  ewes,  and  those  that  came  latest  were  rams, 
proving  that  animals  go  longer  with  males. 

WATER   AND  WATERING  PLACES. 

Every  farmer  should  have  a  good  watering  place  con- 
nected with  his  barn-yard,  if  possible,  and  it  can  gener- 
ally be  done  at  a  small  expense.  It  is  not  only  a  great 
advantage  to  stock,  but  it  makes  a  great  saving  of  ma- 
nure. 

When  animals  have  water  in  or  near  the  barn-yard, 
they  will  drink  as  they  need  it,  and  keep  in  better  con- 
dition. When  the  water  is  far  off,  they  often  go  without, 
even  when  they  suffer  for  want  of  it.  The  distance,  and , 
often  deep  snows,  and  a  cold  blast,  prevent  their  quench- 
ing their  thirst  at  all  times,  as  they  would  if  water  was 
at  hand ;  and  when  very  thirsty  they  drink  to  excess, 
and  thus  injure  themselves. 

In  many  cases,  cattle,  after  going  a  distance  for  water, 
meet  with  troubles.  The  supply  may  be  insufficient,  or 
the  water  may  be  covered  with  drifting  snows,  or  the  ice 
may  have  accumulated  so  that  the  water  is  reached  with 
great  difficulty.  Strong  animals  molest  the  weak  ones 
on  the  way,  or  exhibit  their  domineering  spirit  by  driving 
them  from  the  water,  or  preventing  their  approaching  it. 

These  evils  can  only  be  properly  remedied  by  having 
a  good  supply  of  water  in  the  barn-yard,  or  very  near  it ; 
but  if  this  cannot  be  done,  provide,  in  a  trough,  or  by 
other  means,  a  good  supply  of  pure  water,  of  convenient 
access :  keep  it  well  cleared  of  snow  and  ice,  and  see  that 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  31 

the  weaker  animals  are  protected  from  the  encroach- 
ments of  the  strong  and  tyrannical ;  if  it  be  exposed  to 
the  north,  put  up  a  high  board  fence,  or  other  protection, 
on  that  side,  near  the  water. 

In  summer,  stock  should  not  be  doomed  to  get  an 
insufficient  quantity  of  water  from  a  mud-hole,  as  is  often 
ihe  case,  when  the  fountain  is  small ;  but  a  good  trough, 
ur  other  vessel  should  be  provided  as  a  reservoir,  that 
will  hold  enough  for  the  whole  stock,  and  these  should 
be  often  cleaned  out,  that  the  water  may  be  pure. 

We  made  the  following  arrangement  where  the  sup- 
ply was  small,  and  one  or  two  animals  would  drink 
nearly  all  the  water  in  the  spring  or  fountain,  and  roil 
the  rest.  A  duct  was  laid  some  feet,  to  give  the  water 
a  little  elevation.  This  was  covered  with  earth,  and  the. 
spring  was  also  covered  over.  From  the  duct  the  water 
was  conducted  into  a  large  trough,  and  then  it  ran  into  a 
half  hogshead  tub.  In  this  way,  a  good  supply  of  pure 
water  was  provided  for  the  whole  stock,  when  they  all 
came  to  slake  their  thirst.  These  vessels  were  often 
emptied,*  and  washed  out  clean. 

Some  farmers  have  provided  a  good  supply  of  water 
in  their  barn-yards,  at  a  cost  of  fifty  or  one  hundred 
dollars,  and  would  not  now  be  deprived  of  it  for  the 
interest  of  five  hundred  dollars.  It  is  less  labor  to  pump 
water  for  stock  at  the  yard,  than  to  go  some  distance, 
and  keep  it  clear  of  snow  and  ice,  and  see  that  the 
weaker  animals  can  drink  ;  besides  the  great  saving  of 
manure. 

Cold,  hard  well-water,  is  very  injurious  to  animals 
that  are  heated.  It  should  stand  awhile  before  using. 
Hard  water,  of  a  suitable  temperature,  is  not  injurious 
to  animals  that  are  accustomed  to  it.  Sometimes  a 
change  from  soft  to  hard  water  has  an  unfavorable  effect 
for  a  few  weeks. 

COOKING  FOOD  FOR  HORSES  AND  CATTLE 

If  grain  be  ground,  it  is  more  easily  digested  for  this 
operation,  and  there  is  not  so  much  need  of  cooking  it. 
Green  food,  sucli  as  roots,  grass,  green  corn  fodder,  and 


so 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


otfier  herbage,  is  casiiy  digested;  but  in  steaming  dry 
hard  fodder,  it  is  softened,  and  affords  more  nutriment 
In  this  way,  straw  was  substituted  for  hay,  where  con- 
siderable grain  or  meal  was  used,  in  an  experiment 
made  in  England,  on  ninety  head  of  cattle  and  horses, 
in  which  a  saving  of  sixty-seven  pounds  was  made.  The 
cost  of  cooking  was  only  five  pounds. 

In  some  cases  it  has  been  found  profitable  to  cook 
potatoes  and  other  roots,  for  horses  and  cattle,  and  there 
is  no  doubt  that  meal  of  any  kind  is  greatly  improved  by 
cooking,  but  whether  this  improvement  is  sufficient  to 
pay  the  expense  and  trouble,  is  another  question.  Mix 
up  bran  with  a  small  quantity  of  water,  and  it  appears 
much  like  sand,  add  more  water,  and  it  seems  thin  and 
light,  but  put  it  over  the  fire,  and  boil  it  a  short  time, 
and  the  whole  mass  becomes  thick,  and  evidently 
greatly  improved. 

As  to  the  economy  of  cooking  food  for  cattle  and 
horses,  much  depends  on  circumstances,  such  as  the 
price  of  food  and  fuel,  and  the  value  of  labor.  Some 
thing  depends,  likewise,  on  the  convenience  for  cooking. 
Some  can  cook  food  with  half  the  labor  and  fuel  that 
others  can,  owing  to  improved  apparatus  for  the  purpose. 

Horses,  cattle  and  sheep,  are  accustomed  to  the  use 
of  coarse  food,  and  their  powers  of  digestion  are  great ; 
therefore  there  is  not  so  much  need  of  cooking  food  foi 
them  as  for  hogs,  which  thrive  far  better  on  cooked 
food. 

SYMPTOMS   OF   DISEASES. 

The  following  is  from  the  American  Agriculturist:  — 
A  full  and  frequent  pulse,  loss  of  appetite,  dejected  head, 
and  a  languid  or  watery  eye,  with  a  disposition  to  lie 
down  in  a  dark  or  shady  place,  are  certain  marks,  in  all 
brute  animals,  of  one  of  the  most  frequent  diseases  with 
which  they  are  affected  —  that  is,  the  fever.  The  watery 
eye,  an  inability  to  bark,  or  barking  with  a  sterterous 
hoarseness,  indicate  the  approach  of  madness  in  the  dog. 
The  elevation  of  the  hair  on  the  back  of  a  cat,  and  its 
not  falling  upon  its  feet  when  thrown  from  a  moderate 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  33 

height,  are  the  premonitory  signs  of  that  disease  which 
has  long  proved  fatal  to  that  species  of  animal  both  in 
Europe  and  America.  The  tail  of  a  horse  h.->mg  :is  regu- 
larity of  motion  from  side  to  side,  indicate  that  tie  is  indis- 
posed, and  the  part  in  which  the  disease  is  seated  is 
pointed  out  by  one  of  his  ears  inclining  backwards  to  the 
side  affected.  The  seat  of  disease  in  the  abdomen, 
where  the  signs  are  concealed,  may  be  known  by  press- 
ing the  hand  upon  his  whole  belly.  When  the  diseased 
part  is  pressed,  he  will  manifest  marks  of  pain. 

PHYSIC. 

There  are  few  medicines  so  much  abused  as  purga- 
tives. They  are  often  given  without  any  reason,  fre- 
quently in  powerful,  and  injurious,  and  sometimes  ir_ 
fatal  doses.  Many  animals,  particularly  horses,  are 
destroyed  by  excessive  doses  of  physic.  Yet  purgatives 
judiciously  administered,  are  highly  useful. 

In  inflammatory  complaints,  by  rapid  evacuations 
from  the  bowels,  they  expel  the  chyle,  and  cut  off  tem- 
porarily the  supply  of  nutriment,  and  they  promote  the 
secretions  on  the  inner  coat  of  the  intestines,  drawing 
from  the  fluids  of  the  body,  and  reducing  the  circulation ; 
and  thus  they  relieve  an  affected  organ,  or  abate  a  gen- 
eral inflammation. 

Physic  removes  from  the  stomach  and  bowels  causes 
of  irritation,  and  gives  rest  to  the  digestive  organs  which 
have  been  over-tasked,  and  relieves  the  stomach  which 
has  been  overloaded. 

By  the  moderate  use  of  physic,  together  -with  proper 
attention  to  diet  and  general  treatment,  many  diseases 
may  be  cured,  which  are  now  generally  treated  with 
bleeding  and  other  harsh  modes. 

In  chronic  and  slow  diseases,  it  is  best  to  prepare  the 
animal  for  one,  two,  or  three  days,  if  convenient,  by 
giving  mashes,  as  this  will  loosen  the  bowels,  and  not 
only  require  a  less  dose  of  physic,  but  it  will  be  more 
effectual  in  its  operation. 

But  the  most  important  consideration  is,  that  the  bow- 
els being  open,  the  purgatives  can  freely  operate  without 


.34  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

any  obstruction,  and  obviate  the  clanger  that  attends 
giving  physic  when  the  bowels  are  constipated,  which 
is  like  the  working  of  cider  in  a  cask  that  is  bunged, 
and  sometimes  produces  severe  and  fatal  cases  of  colic. 

But  if  the  disease  be  acute,  and  of  so  great  severity 
that  it  will  not  admit  of  delay  to  prepare  for  physic,  then 
a  clyster  should  be  given  to  aid  the  operation  of  physic, 
and  if  the  bowels  are  constipated  and  apparently  dor- 
mant, give  some  stimulant  with  the  purgative,  as  gin- 
ger; and  give  an  exciting  injection  to  evacuate  the 
bowels,  and  make  way  for  the  physic,  and  to  rouse  to 
healthy  action  the  sluggish  intestines. 

In  cases  of  very  obstinate  constipation  of  the  bowels, 
ten  or  fifteen  grains  of  the  farina  of  the  Croton  nut, 
freshly  prepared,  may  be  added  to  the  dose  of  physic,  for 
horses  or  cattle.  This  is  very  powerful.  [See  under 
each  species,  the  kinds  of  physic  adapted  to  each,  and 
the  quantity  for  a  dose.] 

DIURETICS. 

Diuretics  cause  a  copious  flow  of  urine,  reducing  the 
circulation,  tending  to  abate  fevers  and  inflammatory 
complaints.  Several  diseases  are  mitigated  by  the  use 
of  diuretics,  and  they  may  be  used  in  some  cases  instead 
of  bleeding,  which  it  is  desirable  to  avoid,  as  it  is  a 
harsh  course  of  treatment. 

In  swollen  legs,  cracks,  or  dropsical  affections,  and  in 
grease  in  horses  and  foul  foot  in  cattle,  or  any  unnatural 
enlargements  by  fluids,  diuretics  are  given  to  great  ad- 
vantage. They  are  good  to  alternate  with  other  medi- 
cines, in  the  treatment  of  mange,  and  other  cutaneous 
diseases. 

But  in  all  accumulations  connected  with  debility,  they 
may  do  harm.  AVe  may  remove  swellings  and  extrava- 
sations to-day,  and  they  may  return  to-morrow.  In 
such  cases,  we  must  strengthen  the  system  by  tonics, 
proper  feeding,  and  mild  exercise ;  and  aid  the  local 
debility  by  hand  rubbing  and  bandages. 

There  must  be  caution  in  the  use  of  diuretics,  for 
as  they  produce  a  powerful  effect  on  the  kidneys,  by 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  35 

increased  secretions  in  these  organs,  there  is  danger  of 
injury  and  debility  from  over-action.  [See  Diseases  of 
the  Urinary  Organs  in  Horses.] 

Diuretics  are  used  more  in  the  treatment  of  horses, 
than  m  cattle  practice.  The  following  are  diuretics  :  — 
rosin,  turpentine,  juniper,  gin,  saltpetre,  honey,  potash, 
digitalis,  squills,  tobacco,  and  cream  of  tartar.  Many 
kinds  of  food  have  a  diuretic  effect,  such  as  apples, 
pumpkins,  roots  generally,  green  corn-stalks,  and  most 
kinds  of  green  herbage,  at  first.  [For  the  principal  diu- 
retics in  use,  and  the  dose,  see  this  subject  under  Horses 
and  Cattle.  For  sheep,  use  the  same  as  for  cattle,  only 
one  eighth  part  as  much  for  a  dose.] 

The  following  is  good,  as  a  general  diuretic  drink  :  — 
Powdered  saltpetre,  two  drachms;  powdered  rosin, half 
ounce  j  ginger,  two  drachms  ;  mix  well  together  in  a  lit- 
tle molasses,  and  give  in  warm  gruel. 

SETON  OR  ROWEL. 

A  seton  is  a  piece  of  leather,  cord,  coarse  tape,  braided 
horse-hair,  or  tow,  passed,  by  means  of  a  large  needle, 
through  the  base  of  an  ulcer  or  abscess,  such  as  ulcer- 
ated poll  evil,  fistula,  &c,  to  drain  off  the  acrid  and 
irritant  humors ;  or  they  are  inserted  between  the  skin 
and  muscular,  or  other  parts  beneath,  in  a  sound  part, 
to  create  an  artificial  issue,  and  make  a  general  improve- 
ment in  the  whole  system,  or  relieve  a  neighboring 
affection. 

Setons  are  inserted  in  the  breast  of  horses,  and  in  the 
dewlap  of  cattle,  in  case  of  general  inflammation,  which 
is  abated  by  a  discharge  of  matter.  They  are  also  good 
m  case  of  inward  strains,  and  for  swellings  that  cannot 
be  dissolved.  "When  the  blood  is  in  a  bad  state,  a  seton 
will  draw  off  the  foul  humors,  and  thus  improve  the 
condition  of  the  blood. 

In  cases  of  local  complaints,  this  general  issue  will 
draw  superfluous  humors  from  all  parts  of  the  body,  and 
discharge  them,  and  thus  relieve  the  complaint.  When 
the  local  affection  is  very  severe,  and  will  not  yield  to 
other  treatment,  a  seton  may  be  inserted  near  it,  say 


36  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

a  hand's  breadth  below  it,  which  will  excite  a  new  and 
artificial  inflammation  in  the  vicinity  of  the  old  one,  and 
thus  reduce  its  intensity,  giving  a  new  direction  to  the 
olood  and  humors,  and  concentrate,  a  part  of  the  nervous 
power  on  a  new  point. 

A  seton  should  he  tolerably  thick',  and  from  eight  to 
twelve  inches  long,  and  before  inserting  it,  dip  it  into 
spirits  of  turpentine,  or  other  exciting  matter.  In 
cattle,  insert  the  needle  in  the  upper  part  of  theVmsket 
or  dewlap,  and  in  the  horse,  in  the  breast,  and  bring  it 
out  four  inches  or  more  below  the  place  of  insertion. 
Fasten  the  seton  by  tying  a  large  knot  in  each  end. 

Matter  will  begin  to  run  the  second  day ;  and  after 
that,  draw  the  seton  up  and  down  two  or  three  times  a 
day,  to  irritate  the  parts  and  increase  the  discharge. 
When,  for  inflammatory  diseases,  or  other  complaints, 
you  would  produce  a  more  copious  discharge,  rub  the 
seton  with  blistering  ointment.  This  will  stimulate  the 
parts  to  action,  and  hasten  suppuration. 

Clater  says  that  the  root  of  the  common  dock  is  a 
speedy  and  powerful  seton  for  cattle,  and  the  root  of  the 
black  hellebore  is  still  more  powerful.  The  American 
hellebore,  (Veratrum  v/ride,)  often  called  Indian  poke,  or 
poke  root,  strongly  resembles  the  while  hellebore  (Vera- 
tum  alburn)  of  Europe.  Whether  it  is  like  the  black 
hellebore  here  recommended,  we  cannot  say.  The 
American  hellebore,  or  yoke  root,  which  grows  in 
swamps,  is  very  different  from  poke  weed,  (Phytolacca 
decandra,)  generally  called  garget,  also  cocum  and 
jalap,  which  grows  on  dry  land,  the  root  of  which  is 
much  used  in  New  England,  in  the  dewlap  of  cattle, 
instead  of  a  seton.  [See  Garget,  under  the  general  head 
'•Cattle."] 

When  there  is  a  considerable  discharge  of  matter, 
wash  the  place  once  a  day  in  warm  soap  suds,  and  con- 
tinue this  after  the  seton  is  removed,  while  the  sore  is 
healing. 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  37 


BLEEDING. 

Bleeding  is  practised  as  a  very  speedy  relief  in  some 
disorders.  It  reduces  at  once  the  circulation  in  the  sys- 
tem, and  diminishes  nervous  power.  It  is  considered 
useful  in  the  following  cases  : 

1.  In  all  kinds  of  inflammatory  complaints,  whether 
general  or  local. 

2.  In  violent  colds,  catarrh,  and  influenza. 

3.  When  inflammation  is  apprehended  from  bruises, 
internal  or  external  strains,  wounds  or  injuries  of  any 
kind. 

4.  When,  from  the  exhibition  of  humors,  as  in  cutane- 
ous eruptions,  sores,  swelling  of  the  glands,  &c,  the 
blood  appears  to  be  in  a  vitiated  condition. 

5.  In  cases  of  yellows  in  horses,  and  jaundice  in  cattle, 
attended  with  fever  and  constipation  of  the  bowels. 

Bleeding  does  not  remove  the  cause  of  disease,  but  it 
gives  temporary  relief,  and  sometimes  saves  from  a  sud- 
den and  fatal  termination,  affording  time  and  opportunity 
to  remove  the  cause,  and  administer  restorative  medf  ines. 
We  will  suppose  that  there  is  a  violent  affection  of  the 
brain,  by  the  determination  of  blood  to  that  organ,  that 
would  prove  fatal  before  medicines  could  operate,  or  a 
restorative  course  could  be  pursued.  By  bleeding,  the 
circulation  could  be  reduced  immediately  and  relief 
afforded,  and  then  by  physic,  diuretics,  light  food  and 
other  favorable  treatment,  the  animal  might  be  restored 
to  health. 

In  acute  inflammation,  it  is  not  only  necessary  to  bleed 
copiously,  bat  it  should  be  done  speedily,  and  the  blood 
should  run  largely,  as  more  effect  is  produced  on  the 
disease  by  one  quart  taken  quickly,  in  a  full  stream,  than 
by  double  that  quantity  allowed  to  dribble  down  slowly  ; 
as  a  powerful  effect  is  produced  on  the  disease,  before 
the  organs  can  accommodate  themselves  to  the  loss. 

The  quantity  of  blood  taken  must  depend  on  various 
circumstances,  such  as  the  nature  of  the  disease,  size  and 
condition  of  the  animal.  &c.  tVc.  In  very  sudden  and 
riolent  cases,  it  is  recommended  to  bleed  freely,  even  till 


38  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

the  animal  falters,  and  the  force  of  the  circulation  is  sen- 
sibly reduced.  In  other  cases,  it  is  better  to  bleed  mod- 
erately, or  only  slightly. 

This  remedy  should  be  used  with  sound  judgment,  and 
with  great  caution;  for,  though  it  sometimes  arrests  a 
disease  at  once,  at  other  times  it  may  take  away  what 
little  remaining  strength  the  animal  has. 

Always  catch  the  blood  in  a  vessel,  that  the  quantity 
may  be  determined.  Give  warm  water  after  bleeding, 
and  light  food  for  several  days,  or  longer;  if  the  animal 
be  in  a  weak  condition,  and  "keep  him  dry  and  warm. 

We  are  aware  that  many,  of  very  respectable  authori- 
ty, are  opposed  to  bleeding  in  almost  all  cases,  whether 
in  the  biped  or  quadruped  race  ;  and  we  must  say  that 
we  regret  to  find  that  in  works  that  are  generally  regard- 
ed as  the  best  extant,  bleeding  is  recommended  for  almost 
every  disease  that  poor  animals  are  liable  to.  Verily,  it 
seems  that  the  writers  on  the  veterinary  art  are  a  blood- 
thirsty set.  One,  who  is  regarded  as  high  authority,  in 
treating  of  twenty-nine  different  diseases  incident  to  one 
species  of  animals,  recommends  bleeding  in  twenty-three 
cases ;  directing  to  bleed  the  poor  creatures  to  the  amount 
of  six,  eight,  or  ten  quarts,  or  until  they  faint  and  fall, 
and,  in  some  cases,  repeat  the  operation. 

The  English  term,  cow-leech,  is  very  appropriately  ap- 
plied to  a  cow-doctor,  as  they  draw  blood  so  profusely 
They  are  leeches  in  very  deed.     The  English  veterina 
rian  surgeons  bleed  for  most  disorders. 

Although  bleeding  to  so  great  an  extent  as  recom 
mended  by  foreign  authorities,  and  as  practised  by  some 
in  this  country,  who  follow  in  their  track,  is,  by  no 
means,  to  be  recommended,  yet  there  are  two  reasons 
why  "bleeding  may  be  more  necessary  in  animals  than  in 
the  human  subject. 

1.  The  animal  is  often  very  severely  attacked  before 
It  is  known  that  he  is  diseased,  and  some  very  powerful 
remedy  is  necessary,  and  that  which  will  produce  a  very 
sudden  effect ;  on  the  contrary,  the  human  patient  can 
give  notice  of  disease  at  its  first  approach,  when  it  if 
more  easily  subdued. 

2.  Sweating  is  a  powerful  remedy  in  some  disease? 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  39 

and  in  numerous  cases  an  excellent  substitute  for  bleed- 
ing, as  it  subtracts  very  largely  from  the  blood,  reducing 
temporarily  the  circulation,  producing  debility,  and  puri- 
fying the  blood ;  this  may  be  practised  conveniently  in 
the  human  subject,  but  in  animals  it  is  very  difficult. 

In  this  work,  we  have  preferred  other  remedies  to  that 
of  bleeding,  so  far  as  others  seemed  efficacious,  as  shown 
by  practice;  but  as  all  works  on  the  diseases  of  animals 
have  run  so  much  on  bleeding,  and  as  this  has  been  the 
practice  to  a  great  extent,  it  is  impossible  to  avoid  intro- 
ducing bleeding  occasionally,  in  giving  the  modes  of  treat- 
ment that  have  been  generally  pursued ;  as  few  or  none. 
who  are  opposed  to  bleeding,  as  a  general  thing,  have 
given  their  views  to  the  public  on  the  treatment  of  ani- 
mals.   Mild  means  one  preferable  to  bleeding. 

As  we  give  the  modes  pursued  by  those  who  practise 
bleeding,  all  who  prefer  that  way  can  pursue  it,  and  of 
course  they  will  not  complain  ;  whilst  those  who  depend 
more  on  other  remedial  means,  will  find  that  we  have 
given  various  other  remedies  and  modes  of  treatment, 
which  may  generally  be  substituted  for  bleeding  by  those 
who  prefer  them.  Among  the  substitutes,  are  purga- 
tives, diuretics,  setons,  abstinence,  light  feeding,  astrin- 
gents, anodynes,  sedatives,  <5cc.  <fcc.  Abstinence  is  far 
preferable  to  bleeding,  as  it  is  more  convenient,  more 
pleasant,  and  more  economical ;  and  in  many  cases,  it 
will  answer  the  same  purpose,  not  only  checking  the 
disease,  but  removing  the  cause. 

[See  further  directions  and  remarks  on  this  subject, 
under  different  species  of  animals.] 

BACK-RAKING. 

This  process  is  very  useful  in  cases  of  fever,  costive- 
ness,  colic,  and  other  diseases,  in  order  to  favor  the  oper- 
ation of  purgatives  and  injections ;  for  in  these  diseases, 
the  dung  in  the  rectum,  or  straight  gut,  becomes  dry  and 
hard,  to  the  great  inconvenience  of  the  animal,  and  se- 
rious disadvantages  as  to  the  operation  of  medicines. 
"When  he  has  not  dunged  for  some  time,  and  a  fulness 
is  perceived  about  the  flank  and  fundament,  back-raking 
should  be  attended  to,  as  follows : 


40  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

Let  the  operator  strip  his  arm  bare,  and  having  well 
anointed  it  and  his  hand  with  soft  soap,  lard  or  butter, 
preferring  the  first,  the  fingers  should  be  brought  to  a 
point,  and  the  hand  gently  introduced  into  the  rectum 
and  draw  away  the  indurated  feeces.  This  should  be 
done  several  times,  and  then  the  animal  should  be  left  to 
himself  a  short  time,  while  a  drink  for  physic,  or  an  in- 
jection, or  both,  as  the  case  may  be,  is  preparing.  This 
simple  process  often  affords  much  relief,  and  it  is  imme- 
diate, which  is  important  in  cases  of  great  distress. 

i 
ACCIDENTS,  &c.  i 

Accidents  and  various  affections  are  incident  to  ani- 
mals, that  are  not  readily  perceived ;  therefore  they  should 
be  thoroughly  examined,  occasionally,  in  every  point, 
especially  young  animals,  and  those  not  generally  used, 
so  as  to  allow  of  casual  inspection,  in  order  to  see  that 
no  accident  has  befallen  them,  or  that  some  affection  is 
not  creeping  upon  them  imperceptibly,  that  will,  neg 
lected,  become  a  formidable  evil. 

It  is  highly  important  that  animals  be  timely  relieved 
from  accidents,  as  sometimes  a  delay  will  prove  fatal, 
and  diseases  of  every  description  are  far  more  easily 
cured,  when  taken  in  their  first  stages,  than  when  they 
have 

"  Grown  with  their  growth  and  strengthened  with  their  strength." 

A  horse  that  appeared  sick,  was  examined  very  atten- 
tively for  the  cause  of  complaint,  and  a  piece  of  cob  was 
found  across  the  roof  of  his  mouth,  nearly  stopping  up 
his  throat.  This  is  only  one  among  thousands  of  in- 
stances. There  are  numerous  accidents  and  complaints 
with  which  animals  are  afflicted,  that  may  escape  the 
notice  of  a  superficial  observer,  or  that  may  occur  on 
those  animals  not  generally  handled,  and  by  neglect  they 
may  increase,  from  small  beginnings,  to  severe  and  obsti 
nate  diseases. 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  41 


HOLDING   THE    TONGUE   WHEN   GIVING 
MEDICINE. 

That  animals  may  swallow  freely,  and  the  medicine 
go  down  the  right  way,  their  tongues  should  be  tree. 
As  a  caution  on  this  point,  a  case  was  related  to  us  for 
publication.  An  ox,  after  eating  hearty,  and  drinking 
late  in  the  morning,  was  purled  up.  On  being  worked, 
the  swelling  went  down.  On  drinking  again  at  night, 
the  swelling  returned.  Some  medicine  was  prepared, 
but  the  swelling  had  abated,  and  the  ox  was  eating  hay. 
The  medicine  was  given,  to  prevent  a  recurrence  of  the 
disorder.  It  was  given  by  holding  his  tongue  out  of  his 
mouth,  and  pouring  the  medicine  down  his  throat.  He 
breathed  not  again,  but  fell  down,  and  died  immediately. 

On  examination,  his  windpipe,  for  eight  inches  in 
length,  was  completely  filled  with  chewed  hay.  It  is 
supposed  that  on  holding  the  tongue,  the  windpipe  is 
open,  and  is  liable  to  receive  whatever  is  poured  down 
the  throat ;  and  the  reason  that  no  more  injury  is  done  in 
this  way,  is  because  the  medicines  are  generally  liquid. 

Pouring  medicine  down  the  throats  of  animals,  with 
the  tongue  held,  generally  occasions  coughing,  which  is 
doubtless  owing  to  some  of  it  going  down  the  wrong 
way.  The  use  of  those  parts  connected  with  the  roots 
of  the  tongue,  is  doubtless  necessary  in  closing  the 
passage  into  the  windpipe,  which  is  effected  in  the  act 
of  swallowing  in  the  natural  way. 

MODE   OF   GIVING   LIQUID  MEDICINE. 

Sometimes,  when  medicines  have  no  nauseous  taste, 
animals  will  drink  them  voluntarily.  Or,  if  refused  in 
this  state,  they  may  be  induced  to  take  them  in  palata- 
ble food.  But  there  are  numerous  cases  in  which  it  is 
necessary  to  turn  the  medicine  down  the  throat.  Some 
use  a  junk  bottle  for  this  purpose ;  a  horn  is  better,  as  a 
bottle  is  liable  to  be  broken.  In  using  a  horn,  stop  up 
the  large  end,  and  pour  from  the  small  one,  as  it  is  less 
liable  to  waste. 

4* 


42  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


MASHES. 

Mashes  of  bran  and  shorts  are  a  soft  diet,  and  highly 
valuable  for  many  purposes.  They  relax  the  bowels, 
and  prepare  them  for  administering  physic  with  safety 
and  good  eflect.  They  will,  in  common  conditions, 
operate  gently  on  the  bowels,  clearing  out  their  con- 
tents, and  thus  save  the  necessity  of  resorting  to  purga- 
tives. When  horses  are  not  used  on  Sunday,  a  bran 
mash  may  be  given  on  Saturday  night,  instead  of  grain, 
which  will  have  a  favorable  eflect.  and  prevent  injury 
from  lull  feeding,  while  at  rest.  Mashes  are  very  useful 
to  horses  in  high  condition. 

As  a  food,  mashes  are  remarkably  soothing,  cooling, 
and  emollient.  In  all4nflammatory  complaints,  and  other 
disorders,  when  light  feeding  and  laxative  food  are  rec- 
ommended, this  will  be  found  a  most  excellent  article  of 
diet,  as  it  tills  the  stomach,  affording  the  stimulus  ol 
distention,  without  furnishing  much  nutriment.  It  is 
like  keeping  the  fat  and  gouty  patient,  who  has  had 
more  than  his  share  of  the  good  things  of  this  life,  on 
turnips,  or  on  bran  or  saw -dust  pudding. 

Mashes  may  be  made  of  ground  malt,  bran,  or  shorts, 
or  other  similar  substance,  in  hot  or  cold  water.  When 
the  animal  is  in  a  weak  or  low  condition,  boiling  water 
should  be  poured  on  the  substance,  so  as  to  wet  it  well, 
then  stir  it  thoroughly,  and  when  lukewarm,  give 
it.  By  boiling  bran  or  shorts  a  short  time,  the  water 
becomes  thick,  like  mucilage  •,  and  we  have  no  doubt 
that  this  process  renders  it  more  valuable  as  food,  and 
more  soothing. 

In  cases  of  catarrh  or  sore  throat,  or  any  intestinal 
affection,  an  emollient  mash,  may  be  made  by  adding  to 
the  bran  or  shorts,  a  decoction  of  linseed  or  oil  cake. 

FOMENTATIONS. 

These  are  highly  valuable  in  opening  the  pores  of  the 
skin,  and  keeping  up  perspiration  in  the  part,  and  thus 
abating  local  swellings,  relieving  pain,  and  lessening 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  43 

inflammation.  Hot  or  warm  water  may  be  used,  or  a 
decoction  of  any  herbs.  The  principal  virtue  is  in  the 
warmth  of  the  water  or  decoction.  In  obstinate  cases 
of  diseases,  fomentations  should  be  often  applied,  and 
continued  long.  They  have  a  very  soothing  and  san- 
ative effect. 

POULTICES. 

An  external  application  for  producing  inflammation, 
promoting  suppuration,  cleansing  and  preparing  wounds 
or  sores  for  healing ;  for  mitigating  pain,  and  prev  eiiting 
mortification . 

Poultices  are  generally  prepared  with  linseed  meal,  to 
which  is  added  oil.  lard,  or  other  greasy  matter,  to  pre- 
vent adhesion  to  the  parts,  and  keep  up  the  moisture  for 
a  longer  time.  Indian  meal  may  be  used  instead  of 
linseed  meal,  but  it  is  not  quite  so  soothing. 

A  good  scattering  poultice,  to  reduce  inflammation, 
may  be  made  of  equal  parts  of  hops,  Indian  meal,  and 
pulverized  slippery-elm,  mixed  with  a  strong  decoction 
of  raspberry  or  other  astringent  liquor.  Any  powerfully 
astringent  substance  may  be  used  as  a  scattering  poul- 
tice, and  meal  is  good  to  form  a  body. 

A  poultice  may  be  rendered  more  soothing  by  adding 
opium,  or  more  active  and  drawing  by  adding  turpen- 
tine, or  chloride  of  lime. 

For  old  sores  or  ulcers,  the  chloride  of  lime  is  excel- 
lent to  add  to  the  poultice ;  so  is  finely  powdered  char- 
coal ;  and  both  of  these  substances  are  good  to  prevent 
mortification. 

The  pulp  of  roasted  carrots  is  a  most  valuable  poul- 
tice for  cleansing  and  healing  old  sores  or  ulcers. 

Alum  curd  is  a  valuable  application  for  ulcers.  It 
has  a  very  healthy  effect,  and  tends  to  prevent  mortifi- 
cation. Prepare  it  by  putting  powdered  alum  into  new 
milk.     ISTo  matter  if  there  be  more  than  will  dissolve. 

Wheat  flour,  mixed  with  molasses,  and  applied  as  a 
poultice,  is  somewhat  drawing,  and  hastens  suppuration. 
It  is  much  used  on  boils  to  bring  them  to  a  head,  that 
they  may  break,  or  be  prepared  for  opening. 


44  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


CAUSTICS. 

Butyk  (chloride)  of  Antimony  is  certain  for  destroying 
proud  flesh,  or  otherwise  unhealthy  surface  to  which  it 
is  applied ;  and  its  destructive  power  is  confined  to  the 
surface. 

Lunar  Caustic  (nitrate  of  silver)  is  an  excellent  reme- 
dy for  proud  flesh.  Wet  a  stick  and  rub  a  little  on  the 
part  you  would  have  affected  by  it. 

Burnt  Alum  is  a  good  caustic  for  the  destruction  of 
proud  flesh.     Sometimes  it  is  not  sufficiently  powerful. 

Blue  Vitriol,  (sulphate  of  copper,)  one  ounce  pow- 
dered, and  dissolved  in  a  pint  of  water,  forms  a  mild 
caustic.  The  powder,  sprinkled  on  the  sore  or  wound,  is 
still  stronger. 

DISINFECTANTS   AND   ANTI-PUTRESCENTS. 

These  are  chloride  of  lime,  plaster  of  Paris,  charcoal, 
and  gum  myrrh. 

Chloride  of  Lime.  —  After  contagio\is  or  infectious 
diseases  in  the  cattle-house  or  stable,  the  walls,  floor,  and 
furniture  should  be  washed  a  few  times  with  it,  and  then 
the  sound  animals  may  return  in  safety.  Applied  to  the 
pudenda  of  the  cow,  that  has  aborted,  it  destroys  that 
peculiar  odor  which  causes  abortion  in  others,  more  effec- 
tually than  any  other  preparation. 

In  blain,  foul  in  the  foot,  and  sloughing  ulcers  of  every 
description,  it  removes  the  fetor,  and  if  decomposition 
has  not  proceeded  too  far,  it  gives  a  healthy  surface  to 
the  ulcers.  Administered  internally,  in  blain,  in  the  ma- 
lignant epidemic,  and  in  diarrhoea  and  dysentery,  it  is 
highly  useful.  In  the  last  disease,  it  is  very  beneficial  in 
changing  the  nature  of  the  discharge,  depriving  it  of  its 
putridity  and  infection,  and  disposing  the  surface  of  the 
intestines  to  take  on  a  more  healthy  character. 

Half  an  ounce  of  the  powder,  dissolved  in  a  gallon  of 
water,  will  give  a  solution  of  sufficient  strength,  both  as 
a  disinfectant  applied  to  the  cow-house,  and  as  an  inter- 
nal or  external  remedy  applied  to  the  animal. 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  45 

Plaster  of  Paris  is  a  powerful  disinfectant.  It  ab- 
sorbs putrid  smells,  exhalations,  and  unpleasant  gases, 
and  tends  to  purify  the  air  around.  It  is  used  in 
stables  to  absorb  the  ammoniacal  gas,  and  render  the  air 
more  wholesome. 

Charcoal  is,  in  many  cases,  used  as  a  disinfectant, 
with  wonderful  success  ;  a  piece  of  fish,  or  meat,  becom- 
ing putrid,  is  rendered  completely  sweet  by  being  boiled 
with  a  few  pieces  of  charcoal.  In  the  treatment  of  ulcers 
and  foul  sores,  finely  pulverized  charcoal  is  used  as  an 
ingredient  in  poultices,  as  it  absorbs  the  fetor,  tends  to 
cleanse  the  sore,  and,  from  its  powerful  anti-putrescent 
quality,  it  prevents  mortification. 

Some  cases  of  mortification  have  been  cured  by  this 
simple  substance  alone;  but  of  late  years,  pyroligneous 
acid,  containing  the  same  anti-putrescent  quality,  has 
been  used  for  this  purpose,  and  with  wonderful  success. 

Gum  Myrrh  is  valuable.  Apply  it  in  a  strong  tincture 
of  four  ounces  to  a  quart  of  alcohol.  It  is  good  to  guard 
against  mortification. 

CLYSTERS,   OR   INJECTIONS. 

Injections  into  the  fundament  are  highly  useful,  when 
a  speedy  action  of  the  bowels  is  required.  Sometimes 
they  are  so  obstinately  constipated,  the  dung  having  be- 
come dry  and  hard,  that  physic  will  not  remove  the 
obstruction.  In  most  cases  of  costiveness,  clysters  are 
more  effectual  in  relieving  and  curing  than  purgatives. 
They  should  be  used  in  all  severe  cases. 

Clysters  may  be  made  of  soap  suds,  in  the  proportion 
of  two  ounces  of  soft  soap  to  a  gallon  of  water ;  or  for  a 
more  active  operation,  use  half  a  pound  of  Epsom  salts. 
In  severe  cases  of  colic  and  constipation,  in  order  to 
open  a  way  for  the  immediate  action  of  physic,  an  excit- 
ing clyster  should  be  given. 

Mild  injections,  such  as  herb  teas,  warm  water,  gruel, 
ice.,  produce  effects  only  from  their  softening  influence, 
and  mechanical  effect,  in  expelling  the  hardened  faeces  ; 
but  exciting  clysters  have  effect  on  the  nerves,  and  influ- 
ence the  whole  bowels,  producing  copious  discharges  far 
beyond  their  reach. 


46  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

Soap  has  some  exciting  effect  —  salts  increase  it ;  but 
the  most  exciting  clysters  are  made  by  adding  to  a  gallon 
of  any  common  injection,  as  herb  tea,  or  the  like,  half  a 
pint  of  strong  decoction  of  tobacco,  or  a  great  spoonful 
of  fine  Cayenne  pepper.  The  pepper  produces  a  more 
speedy  action.  Lobelia,  added  to  an  injection,  has  an 
exciting  effect ;  but  if  used  liberally,  it  excites  vomiting 
also.  Any  of  these  exciting  substances,  made  up  into  a 
little  ball,  and  put  into  the  fundament,  will  excite  the 
bowels  and  produce  discharges ;  and  sometimes  they 
answer  the  purpose  of  an  injection.  In  severe  cases  of 
costiveness,  back-rake  before  giving  injections,  as  this 
will  render  them  more  effective. 

The  importance  of  clysters  is  not  sufficiently  known. 
In  numerous  cases  bipeds,  as  well  as  quadrupeds,  are 
dosed  and  dosed  with  physic ;  days  pass  without  relief, 
and  the  bowels  are  almost  ready  to  burst  with  the  power- 
ful fermentation  caused  by  physic,  when  the  use  of  liberal 
and  exciting  injections  would  afford  immediate  relief,  and 
save  the  patient  from  days  of  distress,  from  prostration, 
and  serious  and  permanent  injury  in  the  bowels. 

When  the  bowels  are  tender,  or  irritated,  a  soothing 
and  emollient  injection  may  be  thrown  far  up  the  intes- 
tines, and  brought  in  contact  with  the  inflamed  bowels, 
give  relief  and  promote  a  cure  by  its  soothing  influence. 

For  soreness  and  tenderness  of  the  bowels,  use  a  tea 
of  either  of  the  following  substances,  as  a  soothing  injec- 
tion. Slippery-elm,  bass  wood  (linden)  bark,  marsh-mal- 
lows, or  flax-seed.  Linden  is  similar  to  slippery-elm, 
but  it  has  not  so  much  virtue. 

For  inflamed  and  irritated  bowels,  or  over  purging, 
use  a  decoction  of  either  of  the  following  astringent  sub- 
stances :  —  Rosemary,  barberry  bark,  cranesbill,  hard- 
hack,  raspberry,  and  chocolate  or  Jones'  root. 

In  locked  jaw,  or  otfter  affections,  as  sore  or  swelled 
throat,  when  the  animal  can  take  no  food,  nutriment  may 
be  given  by  injecting  gruel.  Let  it  be  done  in  moderate 
quantities,  that  it  may  be  retained. 

There  are  various  modes  of  giving  clysters.  The  old- 
fashioned  way  is  with  a  bladder  and  pipe,  and  this  will 
answer.     By  elevating  the  bladder,  the  liquid  will  be 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  47 

injected  from  its  weight.  A  syringe  is  good  for  this  pur 
pose.  A  pretty  good  one  may  be  made  of  tin.  In  Eng- 
land, Reed's  stomach  pump  is  used  for  this  purpose,  in 
preference  to  all  other  apparatus. 

ASTRINGENTS  AND  TONICS. 

These  medicines  are  of  a  binding  nature,  and  tend  to 
the  reduction  of  inflammation,  and  to  constipation  in  the 
bowels ;  on  this  account,  while  they  are  given,  internally, 
to  cure  some  disorders,  it  is  necessary  to  use  laxative 
food,  such  as  mashes,  potatoes,  &zc,  or  gentle  physic,  to 
keep  the  bowels  in  good  condition. 

Opium,  or  laudanum,  is  a  powerful  astringent,  and  i) 
is  also  a  good  anodyne.  It  is  used  both  for  cattle  and 
horses,  for  colic,  spasms,  locked  jaw,  &c.  It  should 
however,  be  given  with  great  caution.  It  is  mostly  used 
internally.  In  fevers  it  irritates,  but  after  a  fever  it 
soothes.  The  usual  dose  is  one  ounce  of  laudanum  for 
a  full-grown  animal. 

Alum,  as  an  astringent,  is  used  both  internally  and  ex- 
ternally. Catechu  is  a  powerful  astringent,  and  is  often 
given  to  animals.  It  is  mostly  used  internally,  but  as  a 
tincture,  it  is  good  externally.  It  is  generally  used  in 
connection  with  other  medicines,  entering  into  the  dose 
to  the  amount  of  four  drachms. 

Blue  Vitriol  (sulphate  of  copper)  is  used  internally, 
to  check  nasal  discharges,  and  externally  for  hoof-ail, 
warts,  and  sometimes,  lightly,  in  the  treatment  of  wounds. 

Powdered  Chalk  is  a  valuable  astringent  in  some 
cases,  particularly  as  the  alkali  unites  with  the  acid  in 
'he  stomach  and  neutralizes  it.  There  is  much  acid  in 
the  stomach  of  calves  afflicted  with  dysentery ;  hence 
ihe  advantage  of  supplying  them  with  a  lump  of  chalk 
to  lick. 

Black  Cherry  and  Yellow  Birch  Bark  are  good 
astringents  for  the  jaundice. 

Raspberry  Leaf  Tea  is  a  mild  astringent,  and  an  ano- 
dyne. It  is  used  internally  and  externally.  It  allays 
inflammation  of  the  bowels,  and  fever,  and  tends  to  the 
reduction  of  external  inflammation  or  swellings. 


4S  DISEASES    OF   ANIMALS. 

Camomile  is  a  mild  tonic,  and  is  sometimes  given  in 
doubtful  cases,  when,  from  a  mistaken  view  of  the  dis- 
ease, a  powerful  astringent  might  do  injury. 

ANODYNES   AND   SEDATIVES. 

Opium,  or  laudanum,  is  a  powerful  anodyne,  as  well 
as  astringent.  A  decoction  of  poppy  heads,  which  far- 
mers can  raise,  answers  the  same  purpose,  it  being  the 
same  thing  in  another  state.  In  human  and  animai 
practice,  opium  is  used  more  than  all  other  anodynes,  by 
doctors  of  the  old  school.  Thomsonian  and  botanic  phy- 
sicians use  American  valerian  and  Cayenne  pepper 

Fox-glove,  or  digitalis  is  a  valuable  and  powerful 
sedative,  and  is  considerably  used.  There  should  be 
caution  in  its  use,  as  it  is  far  more  powerful  when  fresh. 

A  man  was  killed,  in  Boston,  by  taking  a  dose  of 
fresh,  the  apothecary  not  being  aware  that  it  was  so 
much  stronger. 

Raspberry  is  a  sedative  as  well  as  astringent;  it  is  a 
Valuable  medicine  in  numerous  cases.  It  is  not  very 
powerful,  but  it  is  quite  safe. 

American  Valerian,  or  lady's  slipper,  (Cypripedium 
pubescens,)  is  a  valuable  anodyne.  There  are  several 
varieties,  but  they  differ  very  little  in  their  virtues. 

Cayenxj:  Pepper  anrl  HoT  Drops  are  safe  anodyms. 
and  though  stimulant  at  first,  become  sedative. 

STIMULANTS   AND   CARMINATIVES. 

These  medicines,  which  warm  and  excite  to  healthy 
action  those  parts  with  which  they  come  in  contact,  and 
tend  to  prevent  flatulency  and  colic,  are  often  used  with 
the  best  success  with  purgatives,  even  in  cases  of  inflam- 
mation. Hence  ginger  or  other  stimulants  are  added  to 
aperient  medicine,  which  greatly  aid  it  in  producing  the 
desired  operation ;  and  hence  the  use  of  wine  in  low 
fever.  The  success  of  a  purgative  often  depends  as 
much  on  the  stimulant  accompanying  it  as  on  the  med- 
icine itself. 

Ardent  Spirits.      Among  the  stimulants  and  car- 


OISEASKS   OF   ANIMALS.  49 

fttinatives,  are  all  kinds  of  ardent  spirits;  though  some 
may  be  modified,  or  have  other  qualities  from  the  addi- 
tion of  other  substances ;  as  gin  is  made  a  sedative  by 
the  addition  of  juniper  berries;  and  brandy  is  a  power- 
lb  I  astringent  as  well  as  stimulant,  from  the  addition  of 
the  extract  of  oak  to  alcohol. 

GriMGKB  is  a  stimulant  as  well  as  aromatic. 

A  Warm  Stimulant  Drink.  Powdered  ginger,  half 
an  ounce ;  caraway  seeds,  six  drachms ;  allspice,  half 
an  ounce  ;  in  a  quart  of  warm  water^gruel,  or  ale. 

Cayenne  Pepper  alone,  or  in  compositions,  is  a  pow- 
erful and  highly  valuable  stimulant  in  the  human 
patient.  It  is  excellent  in  colds,  clearing  the  pipes  and 
lungs  of  phlegm ;  and  in  low  condition  it  warms  and 
revives ;  when  the  stomach  is  dormant,  it  rouses  it  to 
action,  creates  an  appetite,  and  promotes  digestion,  and 
has  many  other  favorable  effects,  when  judiciously  ad- 
ministered.    It  is  equally  valuable  for  animals. 

It  has  been  but  little  used  in  animal  practice,  there- 
fore we  cannot  give  precise  directions  for  its  use ;  but 
as  it  is  powerful,  it  should  be  used  in  moderation.  We 
have  reports  on  few  cases.  A  horse  was  drooping,  and 
had  no  appetite  ;  as  his  pulse  was  regular,  he  evidently 
had  no  fever.  Two  table  spoonfuls  of  Cayenne  pepper, 
find  a  small  portion  of  ginger  and  lobelia,  were  given  to 
him  in  warm  water  ;  and  he  soon  revived  and  recovered. 
In  another  case,  a  horse  had  been  driven  nearly  all  day, 
and  he  failed,  and  refused  to  go,  from  disease,  fatigue, 
or  hunger;  and,  a  physician  being  in  the  carriage  with 
his  medicine  chest,  he  gave  him  a  pint  of  hot  drops,  (a 
Thompsonian  preparation  in  which  there  is  Cayenne,) 
and  he  immediately  revived,  started  off  with  spirit,  and 
cheerfully  performed  the  rest  of  the  journey,  of  about 
seven  miles.  In  both  of  these  cases,  we  think  the  dose 
was  very  large,  —  large  enough  for  two. 

Hot  Drops  are  considerably  used,  of  late,  for  horses. 
They  are  good  for  colic,  for  cold  shivering  fits,  for  a 
dull,  low  state,  as  they  Warm  into  action  the  dormant 
bowels,  promote  digestion,  and  thus  create  a  healthy 
appetite.     They  are  one  of  the  best  medicines. 


50  DISEASES   OF   ANIMALS. 


AROMATIC  S   AND  STOMACHICS. 

Stomachics  are  soothing,  emollient,  warming,  and 
strengthening.  They  allay  irritation  in  the  bowels, 
reduce  soreness  and  tenderness,  and  they  wann  and 
excite  to  action,  the  bowels,  when  in  a  torpor  or  dormant 
condition. 

Powdered  Caraway  seeds  are  a  good  stomachic,  but 
not  equal  to  ginger,  excepting  in  cases  of  flatulency. 
Yet  they  may  be  used  as  an  occasional  change  for  gin- 
ger. Dose,  from  half  an  ounce  to  two  ounces.  Like 
ginger  and  other  stomachics,  it  is  often  given  in  connec- 
tion with  other  medicines,  such  as  purgatives  and  astrin- 
gents. 

Ginger  is  the  best  aromatic  in  the  list  of  cordials. 
Dose,  from  half  a  drachm  to  four  drachms.  Gentian  is 
an  excellent  stomachic  and  tonic,  whether  at  the  close 
of  illness,  or  as  a  remedy  for  chronic  debility.  The 
dose  varies  from  one  to  four  drachms,  and  should  be 
almost  invariably  combined  with  ginger. 

The  following  is  an  excellent  stomachic :  — Powdered 
ginger,  half  an  ounce ;  powdered  gentian,  one  ounce ; 
carbonate  of  ammonia,  (volatile  salts,)  two  drachms : 
infusion  of  camomile  flowers,  one  pint.  Mix  for  one 
dose. 

Sage,  Pennyroyal,  Peppermint,  and  other  aromatic 
and  warming  teas,  or  essences,  are  good  stomachics. 

TO   STOP  BLOOD. 

Cold  water  is  often  sufficient.  Cobwebs  applied"  to 
the  wound,  are  a  still  more  powerful  remedy ;  so  is  a 
strong  alum  water,  or  powdered  alum. 

The  soft,  inner  part  of  sole  leather  has  a  powerful 
effect  in  stopping  blood.  Scrape  it  fine,  and  apply  it  as 
lint,  or  apply  a  soft  piece  to  the  ruptured  vessel. 

Charcoal,  in  fine  powder  or  dust,  is  a  good  styptic ;  so 
is  a  puff-ball.  A  strong  decoction  of  sweet  apple-tree 
bark  has  a  very  powerful  effect  in  stopping  blood,  more 
so  than  most  other  styptics. 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  51 


LINIMENTS,    OPODELDOC,    EMBROCATIONS, 
OINTMENTS,   &c. 

Opodeldoc.  Three  ounces  common  while  soap ;  one 
ounce  camphor;  one  eighth  ounce  oil  of  rosemary;  one 
eighth  ounce  of  oil  of  origanum  ;  and  one  pint  alcohol. 
Put  all  the  articles  but  the  soap  into  the  alcohol,  and  when 
they  are  dissolved,  cut  the  soap  fine,  and  dissolve  it  in 
the  alcohol,  with  a  gentle  heat.  Pour  into  wide-mouthed 
vials  or  jars,  to  cool. 

Liquid  Opodeldoc.  Take  two  ounces  castile  soap, 
instead  of  the  common  soap,  as  above. 

Opodeldoc  to  scatter  Swellings.  "Warm,  over 
coals,  one  quart  of  proof  whiskey,  or  other  spirit,  and 
dissolve  in  it  half  a  pint  of  soft  soap.  When  cool,  put 
it  into  a  bottle,  and  add  one  half  ounce  of  camphor. 

Liniment.  The  following  liniment  has  been  long  in 
use,  and  is  in  high  repute,  being  found  very  efficacious 
for  sprains,  bruises,  cracks,  sores,  wounds,  rheumatism, 
external  or  internal,  in  beast  or  man ;  and  no  family 
should  be  without  it,  or  some  other  valuable  liniment. 
Half  an  ounce  spirits  of  hartshorn  ;  two  ounces  cam- 
phor; one  gill  spirits  turpentine;  half  pint  sweet  oil; 
and  one  pint  alcohol.  Shake  all  together,  and  apply, 
rubbing  it  in  with  the  hand. 

King  of  Oils.  This  name  has  been  given  to  the  fol- 
lowing preparation,  from  its  valuable  effects  in  curing 
wounds  in  animals,  particularly  horses.  It  has  per- 
formed surprising  cures  :  — 

1  ounce  green  copperas,  (sulphate  of  iron.) 

2  "  white  vitriol,  (sulphate  of  zinc.) 
2  '•'  common  salt,  (muriate  of  soda.) 
2     u     linseed  oil. 

8     "      molasses. 

Boil  over  a  slow  fire  fifteen  minutes,  in  a  pint  of 
urine  ;  when  almost  cold,  add  one  ounce  of  oil  of  vitriol, 
(sulphuric  acid.)  and  four  ounces  spirits  of  turpentine. 
Apply  it  to  the  wound  with  a  quill  or  feather. 

Embrocation  for  Strains,  Bruises,  and  Rheumatism. 
Bay  salt,  four  ounces ;  oil  of  origanum,  one  drachm ; 


52  DISEASES    OF    ANIJIALS. 

rub  them  well  together,  until  the  salt  is  reduced  to  a 
powder  ;  then  add  half  a  pint  of  vinegar,  two  ounces  of 
brandy,  and  one  quart  of  water.  Bathe  the  parts  fre- 
quently with  this.  It  is  good  for  cattle,  horses,  and 
men,  when  the  skin  is  not  broken.  Fomentation  with 
hot  water  should  precede  the  application.  Bay  salt  is 
made  naturally  in  the  bays  of  St.  Ubes,  at  high  tides  in 
spring  and  fall.  It  is  the  purest  and  best  for  medical 
and  culinary  purposes,  containing  960  parts  of  chloride 
of  sodium  in  1000. 

A  Stronger  Embrocation  for  deeply-seated  strains. 
Spirits  of  turpentine,  half  a  pint ;  oil  of  origanum,  half 
an  ounce  ;  olive  oil,  a  pint  and  a  half;  cantharides,  one 
ounce.  Mix  together ;  shake  often  ;  keep  in  a  bottle. 
Rub  it  in,  morning  and  night.  This  is  not  intended  to 
blister,  and  should  it  produce  redness  and  tenderness, 
reduce  it  by  adding  olive  oil. 

Rheumatic  Embrocation.  Neat's  foot  oil,  four  ounces ; 
camphorated  oil,  spirits  of  turpentine,  and  laudanum, 
one  ounce  each ;  oil  of  origanum,  one  drachm.     Mix. 

Camphorated  Oil,  or  Stimulating  Embrocation. 
Camphor  broken  into  small  pieces,  two  ounces;  olive 
oil,-  or  spermaceti,  one  pint.  Put  them  into  a  bottle ; 
cork  tight ;  set  it  in  a  warm  place,  and  shake  it  daily, 
until  the  camphor  is  dissolved.  This  is  good  for  still- 
ness and  swelling  of  the  joints,  rheumatism,  &c. 

Cooling  Ointment.  Melt  lard  five  or  six  times,  and 
cool,  by  pouring  each  time  into  a  fresh  pailful  of  water. 
Then  simmer  it  with  sliced  onions,  and  it  will  make  an 
excellent  cooling  salve,  almost  infallible  for  inflamma- 
tions from  taking  colds  in  wounds. 

Blistering  Ointment.  One  part  of  cantharides, 
(Spanish  flies,)  finely  powdered;  three  of  lani,  and  one 
of  yellow  rosin.  Melt  the  lard  and  rosin  together,  and 
add  the  flies  when  the  other  ingredients  begin  to  cool. 
To  make  it  more  active,  add  one  pint  of  spirits  of  tur 
pentine. 

Another.  Yellow  basilicon,  one  ounce ;  powdered 
cantharides,  three  drachms ;  spirits  of  turpentine,  two 
drachms.  This  is  applied  to  setons,  to  cause  a  more 
speedy  operation,  and  a  more  powerful  effect. 

Another.    Melt  together  four  ounces  palm  oil,  and 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  53 

OM  ounce  rosin  ;  and  when  they  begin  to  cool,  add  one 
ounce  of  finely  powdered  cantharides,  and  continue  to 
stir  the  whole  together  till  it  is  set.  This  ointment,  if 
well  rubbed  in,  will  always  blister,  and  never  blemish. 

Ointment  to  promote  the  Growth  of  Hair.  Cala- 
mine powder,  (an  ore  of  zinc,)  finely  rubbed  down,  two 
drachms ;  levigated  charcoal,  one  drachm ;  liquid  tur- 
pentine, one  drachm  ;  lard,  four  drachms.  Rub  them 
well  together;  and  then  add  one  drachm  of  the  last- 
named  blistering  ointment,  and  rub  the  whole  together. 
Let  this  be  well  rubbed,  but  not  hardly,  into  the  part, 
morning  and  night. 

Healing.  Cleansing  Ointment.  Lard,  two  pounds; 
rosin,  half  a  pound  ;  melt  together,  and  when  nearly 
cool,  stir  in  half  a  pound  of  very  finely  powdered  cala- 
mine. 

Ointment.  Equal  parts  of  Venice  turpentine  and 
lard,  beaten  together. 

Compound,  for  Bruises  in  Horses  or  Cattle.  One 
quart  of  vinegar ;  half  an  ounce  of  laudanum ;  and 
quarter  of  an  ounce  of  sugar  of  lead.  Mix  well,  and 
apply  three  or  four  times  a  day.  If  possible,  apply  a 
flannel  wet  with  the  mixture. 

Vinf.'tAk  and  Salt.  Strong  vinegar  saturated  'with 
common  salt,  used  warm,  is  good  for  strains,  and  for 
reducing  swellings. 

For  Swellings.  One  ounce  of  white  vitriol ;  one 
ounce  of  green  copperas  :  two  tea-spoonfuls  of  gun-pow- 
der. Pulverize  all,  and  dissolve  in  a  quart  of  soft  water. 
.Use  cold,  nibbing  it  on  thoroughly.  A  skilful  physician 
informs  us  that  he  finds  this  powerful  for  the  reduction 
of  swellings.  It  was  given  to  him  by  a  man  who  had 
used  it  extensively  and  successfully  on  animals. 

POISONS   OF  VARIOUS   KINDS. 

YEW. 

The  tender  branches  of  yew  are  poisonous  to  horses, 
cattle,  sheep  and  deer ;  and  yet  these  animals  have  eaten 
of  yew  without  injury.     It  is  said  to  be  harmless  when 
5* 


54  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

the  animal  has  azotized  food.  Horses  and  cattle  will 
graze  by  the  side  of  growing  yew,  even  hedges,  and  not 
touch  it ;  but  when  it  is  dry,  the  appearance  is  changed, 
and  then  they  will  eat  it  freely. 

Symptoms.  They  are  affected  in  the  brain,  and  with 
reeling  and  vertigo.     They  usually  die  suddenly. 

Remedy.  Give  to  full-grown  horses  or  cattle,  one 
and  a  half  pints  of  Unseed  oil  each. 

Another.  Give  a  strong  dose  of  physic,  in  a  pint  ol 
gruel,  to  which  add  a  gill  of  vinegar. 

CHEERY  LEAVES. PEACH  LEAVES. 

Several  cases  have  occurred  in  which  cattle  and  sheep 
have  been  poisoned  by  eating  the  leaves  of  the  wild 
cherry;  the  tame  cherry  is  equally  poisonous.  It  has 
been  stated  that  cherry-leaves  are  free  from  poison  until 
the  leaves  have  wilted,  but  cases  have  occurred  in  which 
the  green  leaves  have  poisoned  animals.  It  is  said  that 
they  contain  Prussic  acid.  Peach-leaves  are  said  to  con- 
tain Prussic  acid  also,  and  they  are  supposed  to  be  poi- 
sonous. 

Remedy.  C.  0.  Kimball,  in  the  "Massachusetts 
Ploughman,"  recommends  as  a  remedy  a  pint  of  New 
England  rum,  mixed  with  a  pint  of  molasses,  and  given 
to  each  grown  animal.  Salt  would  doubtless  be  benefi- 
cial, as  it  is  useful  in  cases  of  poison  from  the  bite  of 
snakes,  sting  of  bees,  Sec. 

elm  bark. 

A  horse  died  from  eating  elm  bark.  On  post  mortem 
examination,  it  was  found  that  the  bark  had  produced  a 
violent  inflammation  of  the  intestines. 

LOW   LAUREL    OR    LAMBKILL. 

Sheep  and  calves  will  eat  of  low  laurel,  (Kalmia  angus- 
ti folia,)  in  the  winter  and  spring.  They  swell  a  little, 
grow  stupid,  and  throw  up  greenish  fluid,  which  runs 
out  of  the  mouth,  discoloring  the  lips. 

Remedy.  Gag  the  animal,  that  the  fluid  may  be 
thrown  out,  and  not  swallowed,  and  give  roasted  onions 
and  sweetened  milk. 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  55 

Another.  Bruise  well  the  green  twigs  of  white  ash ; 
boil  them  one  hour,  in  water  enough  to  cover  them  when 
pressed  down.  Two  table-spoonfuls  will  generally  cure, 
if  given  within  twenty-four  hours  of  the  poisoning. 

Another.  Take  two  quarts  of  pure  red  or  yellow 
earth  from  under  the  surface  soil.  Pour  on  water 
enough  to  cover  it.  After  ten  or  fifteen  minutes,  drain 
off  the  water,  and  give  two  or  three  table-spoonfuls  for  a 
dose.     Give  three  or  four  doses,  at  short  intervals. 

Another.  Give  a  gill  of  sweet  oil,  or  castor-oil, — 
lard  or  fresh  butter  will  answer,  —  in  a  pint  of  new  milk, 
to  each  animal.  In  addition  to  any  of  these  remedies, 
give  salt  freely. 

BEECH-NUTS. 

These  are  a  good  food  for  swine,  a  favorite  with 
pigeons,  and  much  admired  by  human  bipeds ;  yet  both 
the  oil  and  the  cake  that  is  left  after  the  oil  is  pressed 
out,  are  fatal  to  the  horse,  and  have  caused  death  in 
twelve  hours. 

WATER    PARSLEY    AND    WATER   DROPW0RT. 

Water  Parsley  has  produced  palsy  in  the  horse.  Wa- 
.er  Dropwort  has  poisoned  brood  mares,  and  it  has  poi- 
soned cattle  early  in  the  spring. 

CROWSFOOT    AND    WATER    HEMLOCK. 

Crowsfoot,  of  some  species,  and  Water  Hemlock,  have 
poisoned  cattle  in  the  spring,  before  other  herbage  started. 

garget,  or  poke  weed,  (Phytolaca  decandra.) 

The  root  of  this  plant,  which  is  excellent  for  cattle, 
taken  internally,  or  used  as  a  seton  in  the  dewlap,  for 
the  garget,  is  very  poisonous  to  the  horse.  An  ear  of 
corn,  with  garget  root  in  the  pith  of  the  cob,  was  given 
to  a  horse,  and  it  killed  him.  A  dose  of  garget  was 
prepared  in  meal  for  a  cow ;  she  refused  it  and  it  was 
given  to  a  horse,  and  was  fatal. 


56  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


MAYWEED. 

Mayweed,  (Antkemis  cotula.)  or  wild  camomile,  has 
sometimes  poisoned  the  horse,  and  produced  death.  He 
will  not  eat  it  green,  but  will  when  mixed  with  hay. 
We  have  taken  a  decoction  of  this  plant,  in  strong  doses, 
for  a  cold,  (not  being  aware  that  it  was  poisonous,)  for 
which  it  is  very  efficacious  in  producing  perspiration,  but 
we  were  never  pleased  with  the  taste  nor  the  feelings 
produced  from  its  use. 

GENERAL    REMARKS. 

One  of  the  best  remedies  for  poisons  is  the  use  of  the 
stomach-pump,  by  which  water  is  thrown  freely  into  the 
stomach,  which  often  excites  vomiting  and  gives  relief, 
if  this  fails,  the  water  may  be  drawn  out,  and  the  opera- 
tion repeated.  In  this  way  the  poisonous  matter  is 
diluted  and  removed. 

Most  vegetable  poisons  are  acids,  and  alkalies  will 
neutralize  and  destroy  them.  Ammonia,  lye  of  wood- 
ashes,  and  pot  and  pearl  ashes,  are  used  for  this  purpose. 
We  have  inquired  and  sought  in  vain  for  a  remedy  for 
cattle  that  eat  white  lead,  by  licking  paint  on  buildings. 

BITES    OF    SXAKES. 

Cut  the  wound  and  squeeze  out  the  blood;  then  apply 
fine  salt  or  some  alkali,  as  named  above.  Give  inter- 
nally half  a  pint  of  olive  oil,  or  rape  oil,  or  half  an  ounce 
of  volatile  salt,  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  water. 

We  were  told,  in  Pennsylvania,  that  a  sure  cure  for 
the  bite  of  poisonous  serpents  was  cutting  the  wound  to 
make  it  bleed,  applying  fine  salt  and  pulverized  gun- 
powder, and  keeping  the  patient  i>n  sweet  milk,  until 
sickness  ceased,  which  is  generally  in  two  or  three  days. 

WOUNDS. 

Dr.  James  Bates,  Superintendent  of  the  Insane  Hos- 
pital, Augusta,  Me.,  says,  in  the  "Boston  Cultivator," 
"The  best  possible  coatings  which  can  be  applied  to 
injured  parts  are,  first,  the  blood,  then  the  serum,  the 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


57 


coagulable  lymph,  afterwards  the  matured  matter.  It  is 
the  business  of  art  to  assist  nature,  and  do  that  which 
she  cannot  do.  In  cuts  and  lacerated  wounds,  she  has 
made  no  provision  for  bringing  the  sides  into  immediate 
contact.  This  should  be  done  in  the  first  place ;  and 
when  this  is  impossible,  then  bring  them  as  near  as  may 
be,  with  the  least  pain  and  irritation. 

"In  all  cases  of  man  or  beast,  if  we  can  bring  and  re- 
tain together  the  sides  of  wounds  by  adhesive  plasters 
and  bandages,  it  should  be  done.  If  stitches  must  be 
resorted  to,  they  should  never  remain  more  than  thirty- 
six  or  forty  hours,  as  they  will  have  done  all  the  good 
they  are  capable  of  in  that  time  ;  and  they  will  do  injury 
if  they  remain  longer.  No  stitch  should  ever  be  used 
over  or  near  an  important  joint.  In  some  rare  cases,  it 
may  be  necessary  to  put  straight  needles  through  the 
sides  of  a  wound,  and  wind  them  with  ligatures  in  the 
form  of  a  figure  8  ;  but  they  should  never  remain  more 
than  forty-eight  hours. 

"  Discard  healing-salves  and  plasters,  as  the  healing 
process  is  carried  on  by  the  living  functions  of  the  ani- 
mal, and  not  by  what  is  applied.  Applications  are  use- 
ful, not  for  their  healing  properties,  but  simply  to  exclude 
the  air,  and  allow  nature  to  do  her  work,  and  we  should 
use  the  most  inoffensive  and  least  stimulating  covering, 
such  as  one  part  of  beeswax  and  two  parts  of  lard,  melted 
together. 

"  If  the  granulations  become  spongy,  and  a  great  flow 
of  matter  takes  place,  apply  powdered  rhubarb  daily,  or 
even  some  more  powerful  astringent,  if  necessary ;  this 
will  give  tone  to  the  granulations.  Should  the  matter 
from  the  wound  become  thin  and  bloody,  attend  to  the 
general  health  of  the  animal.  Old  sores  or  ulcers,  which 
refuse  to  heal,  must  be  made  new  ones,  by  destroying 
the  old  surface  by  the  knife,  caustic  or  actual  cautering, 
(hot  irons,)  and  then  treat  them  as  fresh  wounds.  In 
some  such  cases,  setons  or  issues,  in  adjacent  parts,  may 
aid  the  cure."  Here  is  the  conclusion  of  Dr.  B.'s  judi- 
cious remarks. 


5S  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


SIMPLE    CUT    WOUNDS. 

When  only  small  blood  vessels  are  cut  quite  through 
they  draw  back,  ami  the  blood  soon  ceases  to  flow. 

When  wounds  made  by  sharp  instruments  are  consid 
erable,  they  are  generally  attended  by  a  flow  of  blood. 
If  the  effusion  be  great,  and  if,  from  its  florid  color,  and 
flowing  in  jets,  it  appears  to  proceed  from  an  artery,  it 
must  be  quickly  stopped.  If  there  be  no  means  of  ap- 
plying pressure  on  the  course  of  the  artery,  between  the 
heart  and  the  ivnuwl,  the  finger  may  be  introduced  into 
the  wound,  and  pressed  on  the  artery,  to  stop  the  blood 
till  the  artery  can  be  taken  up,  or  some  means  used  to 
stop  it. 

An  instrument  called  tenaculum,  which  is  a  sharp, 
pointed  hook,  is  the  most  convenient  for  taking  up  an 
artery  to  be  tied.  A  double  thread  being  waxed,  and 
an  open  knot  made  on  it,  it  is  put  over  the  instrument. 
The  artery  is  then  laid  hold  of  by  the  point,  and  drawn 
out  a  little,  the  open  knot  is  slipped  over  it,  and  firmly 
drawn,  an  I  the  ends  of  the  thread  allowed  to  hang  from 
the  wound.     Veins  may  be  secured  in  the  same  way. 

If  a  blood  vessel  cannot  be  tied,  and  no  means  used 
to  stop  the  effusion,  fold  a  piece  of  linen  rag  to  a  quarter 
of  an  inch  in  thickness,  and  apply  it  to  the  orifice  of  the 
olood  vessel,  and  press  it  with  the  finger,  first  wetting 
the  rag  in  strong  alum-water.  [See  directions  to  stop 
blood.] 

The  cure  of  wounds  is  effected  by  adhesion  or  suppu- 
ration. When  the  sides  of  a  fresh  wound  are  brought  into 
accurate  contact,  and  kept  together,  they  adhere  very  soon, 
and  the  wound  soon  henls.  with  little  or  no  trouble. 
This  is  called  healing  by  the  first  intention.  The  flesh 
of  horses  does  not  unite  so  readily  by  the  first  intention 
as  that  of  other  animals,  and  the  wound  is  more  likely 
to  heal  by  suppuration. 

PUNCTURED    WOUNDS. 

These  are  made  by  pointed  instruments,  splinters  of 
wood,  bites,  foe.  They  are  more  dangerous  than  cut 
wounds,  as  they  excite  more  inflammation,  and  it  is  dirli- 


DISEASES    OF   ANIMALS.  59 

cult  to  get  the  sides  to  adhere  uniformly.  When  the 
orifice  heals  before  the  bottom  of  the  wound,  collections 
of  matter  are  formed,  which  corrode  the  parts.  Poultices 
are  useful  in  such  cases.  Fomentations  with  a  decoc- 
tion of  camomile  flowers  may  be  preferable.  It  is  some- 
times necessary  to  make  an  incision,  to  allow  the  col- 
lected matter  to  escape. 

CONTUSED    AND    LACERATED    WOUNDS. 

In  such  wounds,  the  parts  are  torn  or  bruised,  so  as  to 
leave  the  texture  destroyed.  There  is  less  appearance  of 
danger  in  these,  as  well  as  in  punctured  wounds,  from 
the  flow  of  blood  usually  being  less  ;  yet  there  is  the 
more  to  be  dreaded.  The  danger  of  wounds  is  too  often 
estimated  from  the  flow  of  blood  alone,  yet  from  the  most 
dangerous,  there  is  sometimes  no  flow  whatever. 

When  the  texture  of  the  wounded  parts  has  been  com- 
pletely destroyed,  or  wounds  have  been  neglected  or 
badly  treated,  healing  must  be  effected  by  suppuration. 
After  the  wound  has  been  cleansed,  and  freed  from  all 
extraneous  substances,  such  parts  as  are  almost  torn  or 
squeezed  off,  should  be  removed.  But  if  the  parts  are 
not  much  injured,  there  is  a  chance  of  their  adhering,  if 
placed  as  nearly  as  possible  in  their  natural  position. 
The  wound  should  be  carefully  guarded  against  expo- 
sure, but  not  tightly  bandaged.  As  it  proceeds,  it  may  be 
cleansed  and  softened,  by  washing  with  Castile  or  mild 
shaving  soap.  Some  mild  and  emollient  salve  may  be 
used  to  keep  the  parts  soft  and  pliant. 

In  case  of  inflammation,  poultices  may  be  used  to 
bring  on  suppuration.  A  large,  warm,  oiled  poultice, 
folded  in  a  piece  of  thin  linen  or  muslin,  should  be  laid 
over  the  wounded  and  neighboring  parts,  and  changed 
twice  a  day.  Unless  the  injury  is  very  severe,  this 
treatment  will  probably  soon  bring  on  the  formation  of 
good  matter,  and  the  parts  where  the  texture  is  com- 
pletely destroyed,  will  slough  or  mortify,  and  fall  off. 
When  this  has  happened,  and  the  inflammation  has 
abated,  the  poultice  should  be  discontinued,  and  some 
mild  and  soothing  salve  used  to  promote  the  healing. 

But  sometimes,  instead  of  the  suppuration,  there  is 


60  DISEASES    Of    ANIMALS. 

violent  inflammation,  that  causes  a  mortification  in  tne 
surrounding  parts,  which  is  attended  with  danger 
When  there  is  no  indication  of  a  suppuration,  and  morti- 
fication is  apprehended,  use  a  scattering  poultice,  (as  on 
page  53,)  to  which  add  freshly  burnt  powdered  charcoal, 
which  is  a  preventive  of  mortification,  from  its  disin- 
fecting and  anti-putrescent  qualities. 

WOrXDS    IX    THE    JOINTS. 

These  are  very  difficult  to  manage.  A  ctire  may  be 
attempted  by  keeping  the  air  from  the  wound,  and  bring- 
ing the  sides  into  contact  by  adhesive  plaster,  and  em- 
ploying poultices.  An  extensive  wound  in  a  joint  is 
generally  incurable.  For  joint  or  sinew  water,  burn  a 
cork  to  a  coal,  pulverize  it  finely,  and  put  the  dust  into 
the  wound. 

MAGGOTS    IX   WOtJXDS. 

These  may  be  destroyed  by  tar  or  honey ;  both  are 
healing ;  but  tar  is  too  harsh  alone ;  mix  it  with  lard, 
and  it  will  be  equally  good  against  worms. 

BROKEN  BONES. 

The  mending  of  a  broken  bone  is  by  no  means  diffi- 
cult, when  the  parts  covering  the  bone  have  not  been 
injured.  Let  the  limb  be  stretched,  and  the  broken  ends 
of  the  bone  placed  as  nicely  together  as  possible,  and 
held  in  that  position  till  a  piece  of  stiff  leather,  or  thin 
wood,  as  a  splint,  is  laid  along,  so  that  it  may  extend 
a  few  inches  beyond  the  contiguous  joint.  This  must 
be  kept  in  its  place  by  winding  flannel,  an  inch  and  a 
half  broad,  and  as  long  as  may  be  necessary,  around  it. 

The  splint  should  be  worn  ten  days  or  a  fortnight ; 
and  after  it  has  been  removed,  the  bandage  should  be 
continued  moderately  tight,  till  the  limb  has  acquired  its 
former  strength.  When  any  considerable  swelling  ap- 
pears, the  bandage  should  be  slackened,  and  tightened 
again  when  the  swelling  abates.  When  a  bone  is 
broken  in  more  than  one  place,  all  the  pieces  are  to  be 
Drought  into  their  proper  place,  and  secured. 


diseases  op  animals.  61 

Sometimes  a  fracture  is  made,  and  a  part  ol  a  bone 
protrudes  through  the  skin.  In  such  case,  a  wound 
must  be  made  of  sufficient  length  to  allow  the  bone  to 
be  replaced ;  and  it  may  be  proper  to  remove  some  of 
the  splintered  portions  by  a  saw  or  nippers.  The  splint 
and  bandage  must  then  be  applied  in  such  a  way  as  to 
leave  the  wound  accessible,  that  it  may  be  dressed. 

Some  persons  kill  an  animal  on  his  having  a  limb 
broken,  supposing  that  there  is  no  cure.  But  we  have 
known  cases  of  broken  bones,  that,  by  careful  setting, 
splintering,  and  good  management,  have  been  cured, 
and  with  but  little  trouble.  The  following  is  from  the 
Farmers'  Cabinet :  — 

BROKEN   BONES    CURED. 

An  idea  prevails  with  many  persons,  that  broken  bones 
of  horses  and  other  quadrupeds  cannot  be  cured,  owing 
to  the  difficulty  of  keeping  the  part  sufficiently  at  rest 
during  the  time  necessary  for  a  broken  bone  to  heal. 

I  heard  of  a  case,  some  months  since,  which  was  suc- 
cessfully treated  in  the  following  manner,  viz. :  —  Two 
pieces  of  scantling  sufficiently  strong  to  support  the 
horse,  were  placed  over  and  parallel  with  him  in  the 
stable ;  a  piece  of  strong  linen  was  then  passed  under 
him,  and  the  two  opposite  ends  confined  to  the  scantling, 
so  as  to  raise  him  from  the  floor ;  a  wooden  box  was 
provided  with  a  bottom,  two  sides,  and  one  end,  com- 
posed of  boards  nailed  together,  and  of  sufficient  length, 
width  and  depth  to  contain  the  leg  from  the  knee  to  the 
foot,  inclusive,  besides  a  space  of  half  an  inch  or  more, 
on  each  side  of  the  leg,  to  admit  the  necessary  bandages, 
>\:c.,  with  the  bottom  cut  away  sufficiently  for  the  foot  to 
enter,  and  retain  its  natural  relative  position  with  the 
leg. 

The  broken  leg  was  confined  in  this  box,  and  treated 
in  the  usual  manner,  and  the  box.  together  with  the  leg 
from  the  knee  to  the  foot  confined  in  a  horizontal  posi- 
tion, or  nearly  so,  by  straps  of  leather  passing  over  the 
horse's  back,  and  the  two  ends  confined  to  the  box ;  the 
horse  was  permitted  to  put  his  other  three  feet  upon  the 
floor,  sufficiently  to  preserve  a  healthy  action  of  the 
6 


62  DISEASES   OF    ANIMALS. 

limbs,  but  not  so  as  to  displace  the  broken  limb  in  the 
box.  A  cure  was  effected  in  a  few  weeks.  This  was 
one  of  the  fore  legs.  I  see  no  difficulty  in  treating  the 
hind  leg,  by  partially  suspending  the  animal  in  this 
nanner.  and  varying  the  other  parts  accordiug  to  the 
>articu!ar  nature  of  the  case. 

The  following  singular  cases  are  from  J.  Sanford,  of 
\Iarcellus,  New  York,  as  appears  in  the  Genesee  Far- 
mer :  — 

YOUNG  CATTLE  THEIR  OWN  SURGEONS. 

I  had  a  very  fine  young  bull,  which  I  found  with  his 
right  fore  leg  broken,  about  halfway  between  the  knee 
and  fetlock  joint.  The  bone  was  not  only  broken,  but 
appeared  to  be  shattered  in  pieces  for  several  inches, 
and  pricked  through  the  skin.  I  got  him  up,  and,  on 
three  legs,  he  worked  his  way  six  or  eight  rods,  to  an 
open  shed,  where  he  could  be  by  himself.  I  splintered 
and  bound  up  the  leg  as  well  as  I  could,  and  left  him  for 
the  night ;  but  in  the  morning,  the  bandage  was  off. 
He  had  got  up,  and  moved  about,  and  sometimes  bear- 
ing on  the  foot,  which  had  nothing  but  the  skin  and 
tendons  to  support  it.  I  saw  no  way  to  manage  it  bet- 
ter, and  gave  it  up,  and  sent  for  a  man  to  kill  him. 
But,  on  further  reflection,  as  he  ate  well,  and  was  con- 
tented to  stay  where  he  was,  I  concluded  to  let  him  live, 
if  he  would,  and  see  how  he  would  manage  it  himself, 
and  let  the  leg  alone.  He  kept  in  flesh ;  would  move 
about  two  or  three  rods,  and  I  have  seen  it  bent  at 
nearly  right  angles.  No  appearance  of  healing  the 
bones  in  sight,  when  the  leg  was  bent,  I  concluded  it 
would  perish,  and  come  off.  In  this  manner  he  contin- 
ued, until  the  first  days  of  May,  near  three  months, 
when  I  moved  him  to  a  pasture,  having  good  shade  and 
water. 

Then  he  adopted  a  course  of  conduct  for  himself ;  had 
his  abode  at  a  fine  maple-tree ;  would  get  up,  feed 
round  as  far  as  necessary  to  gel  a  good  bite  of  grass,  go 
to  the  water  two  or  three  rods,  and  back  to  his  tree.  In 
this  way  he  continued  about  two  months ;  was  in  good 
health,  gained  in  flesh,  and,  except  the  leg,  appeared 


DISEASES    01    ANIMALS.  63 

fine.  The  leg  had  been  enlarging  some  time,  and  now 
was  double  the  size  of  the  other  at  the  place  broken,  but 
as  yet  had  no  strength,  and  would  yield  to  pressure  and 
bend  about,  as  he  happened  to  hit  or  bore  any  weight 
upon  it,  and  during  this  time,  several  bones  had  worked 
out  of  the  wound,  which  still  kept  open,  to  which  no 
application  was  applied,  except  his  own  tongue,  which 
was  very  frequent.  I  saw  him  from  day  to  day,  and 
watched  the  progress  until  about  the  middle  of  July, 
when  I  found  he  could  bear  some  weight  on  it,  and  was 
getting  into  shape  ;  and  about  one  month  more  it  became 
strong ;  the  wound  had  healed,  and  he  walked  as  well 
as  ever.  The  joints  above  and  below  were  perfect,  the 
leg  straight,  the  length  exact  with  the  other,  and  as  good, 
but  for  the  odds  in  size.  He  was  in  fine  condition,  com- 
petent for  all  purposes  by  September,  and  fought  as 
good  a  battle  as  others.  When  coming  four  years  old, 
I  fattened,  and  butchered  him  ;  and  sawed  up  the  leg, 
and  found  an  entire  new  bone  had  foimed,  of  about 
three  and  a  half  inches  in  diameter,  and  graduated 
above  and  below  so  as  to  fit  the  former,  and  no  appear- 
ance of  the  old  one  for  six  or  more  inches,  which  had 
doubtless  been  discharged  as  I  stated  above. 

Also,  I  have  now  a  fine  three  year  old  steer,  which 
had  his  thigh  broken  by  the  kick  of  a  horse,  at  about 
seven  months  old.  Him  I  left  to  manage  as  he  might. 
He  was  in  a  distant  pasture  with  a  large  lot  of  other 
young  cattle ;  took  his  own  position  wide  from  the 
rest,  and  in  about  two  months  he  got 'well ;  and  now  no 
one,  without  a  close  examination,  would  suspect  that  he 
had  ever  met  with  the  accident. 

INVERSION   OF   THE   RECTUM. 

Sometimes,  from  straining  in  dysentery,  a  portion  of  the 
rectum  comes  out  of  the  fundament,  and  the  animal  can- 
not draw  it  back.  Give  a  pint  of  castor-oil,  with  two 
drachms  of  opium,  to  a  full-grown  animal,  as  an  ox  or 
horse.  The  part  protruded  should  be  cleaned  with  soap 
suds;  then  fomented  an  hour  with  a  decoction  of  poppy 
heads,  or  other  mollifying  herb,  and  then  gently  return 
it.    Cold  water  should  then  be  applied  around  the  anus 


64  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


LOCKED  JAW,   OR   TETANUS. 

This  is  the  effect  of  some  acute  disease,  and  in  some 
cases  it  is  a  symptom  of  approaching  death.  In  most 
cases,  the  muscles  of  the  jaws  become  so  contracted  and 
rigid,  that  it  is  impossible  to  open  the  mouth  to  give  food, 
or  medicine,  and  the  animal  dies  of  starvation.  In  some 
cases,  a  tooth  has  been  knocked  out,  and  medicine  given 
that  has  relieved  and  cured. 

Causes.  Pricking  in  shoeing,  running  a  nail  or  other 
thing  into  the  foot,  or  other  parts  where  there  are  many 
nerves.  Also,  turning  animals  out  on  cold,  wet  nights, 
after  hard  work  and  perspiration,  and  over  driving. 
Docking  and  nicking  horses  are  causes,  also. 

Svmptoms.  In  the  horse,  there  is  a  stiffness  of  the 
neck  and  tail,  and  a  constant  spasm  of  the  muscles  of 
voluntary  motion.  It  is  seldom  preceded  by  any  serious 
illness,  although  the  horse  will  appear  dull  for  a  few 
days.  As  it  approaches,  he  gulps  his  water,  (swallows 
with  forcible  action,)  and  quids  his  hay,  (partly  chews 
and  lets  it  fall  out.)  He  stands  stiff,  with  his  legs 
bracing,  his  tail  quivering,  and  despair  in  his  looks. 

In  cattle,  the  animal  is  off  his  food,  and  ceases  to  rumi- 
nate, and  stands  with  head  protruded ;  but  as  there  is 
no  dryness  of  the  muzzle,  or  coldness  of  the  ears,  the 
attendant  may  not  be  alarmed,  and  not  thinking  of  the 
locked  jaw,  the  animal  is  neglected.  He  continues  the 
same,  rarely  moving,  and  when  made  to  turn,  moves 
stiffly.  By  examining  the  mouth  in  season,  the  disorder 
may  be  known,  and  the  animal  saved. 

Remedv.  At  the  Maryland  Farmers'  Club,  Mr.  Pearce. 
U.  S.  Senator,  stated  that  he  had  a  horse  that  stepped  on 
a  nail,  and  symptoms  of  locked  jaw  appeared  eighteen 
days  after.  He  being  absent,  no  remedies  were  used 
till  the  third  day,  when  the  animal  was  bled,  and  aloes 
administered,  but  without  effect.  He  could  scarcely 
walk;  his  nostrils  were  distended  and  inflamed;  nis 
breathing  difficult ;  his  tail  stiff;  he  could  not  bend  bis 
neck,  and  could  eat  nothing  but  a  little  mash. 

Galvanism  was  then  tried,  in  shocks  as  severe  as  the 
horse  could  bear.    The  currents  were  first  passed  through 


DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS.  65 

the  head,  and  then  applied  at  different  points  along  the 
spine.  His  tail  and  neck  soon  lost  their  rigidity,  he 
moved  his  limbs  rapidly,  and  kicked  smartly.  These 
applications  were  repeated  five  or  six  times,  with  inter- 
vals of  a  day  or  two,  beginning  with  slight  shocks,  and 
gradually  increasing  them. 

His  neighbor  insisted  that  he  should  also  try  his  rem- 
edy, which  he  said  he  had  tried  five  or  six  times  with 
complete  success.  Accordingly,  the  horse  was  plunged 
into  deep  water  every  day,  and  made  to  swim  three  or 
four  minutes.  He  improved  slowly.  In  a  fortnight  he 
was  turned  to^rass,  and  the  harness  put  on  him  in  a 
month.  He  became  well,  and  as  active  and  spirited  as 
ever. 

Another.  Some  very  severe  cases  have  been  cured 
by  dashing  thirty  or  forty  pailfuls  of  cold  water  suddenly 
all  over  the  animal,  and  repeating  the  operation,  if  neces- 
sary, at  intervals  of  two  hours.  This  was  recommended 
by  the  late  eminent  Dr.  Rush.  A  mare  that  seemed 
almost  dead  with  locked  jaw,  was  revived  and  cured  by 
repeated  applications  of  cold  water. 

Another.  Mix  strong  soft  soap  with  pulverized  chalk, 
so  as  to  make  them  of  the  consistence  of  buckwheat  bat- 
ter. Apply  this  to  the  wound  that  causes  the  locked  jaw. 
or  from  which  it  is  apprehended,  and  keep  the  chalk 
moistened  with  soap,  until  the  wound  begins  to  discharge, 
and  the  patient  is  relieved. 

Note.  In  cases  of  human  patients,  it  is  said  that  the 
application  of  a  piece  of  brass  or  copper,  — if  rusty  the 
better,  — a  cent,  for  instance,  is  excellent  for  drawing  a 
wound  made  by  a  nail  in  the  foot,  and  thus  prevents  the 
locked  jaw.  In  cases  of  a  nail  in  the  foot,  we  have  used, 
and  known  others  to  use,  with  excellent  success,  the  rind 
of  salt  pork,  the  flesh  part  applied  to  the  wound,  and,  in 
severe  cases,  renewed  every  day. 

Another.  English  authorities  recommend  bleeding 
freely,  almost  to  faintness  ;  and  when  the  jaws  have  re- 
laxed, give  gentle  physic,  and  turn  it  down  slowly,  (in 
cattle  or  sheep,)  that  it  may  go  into  the  fourth  stomach, 
and  not  into  the  paunch,  as  it  will  if  poured  down  at 
once.  At  the  -ame  time,  administer  clysters  every  three 
6* 


66  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

hours,  till  there  is  an  operation  on  the  bowels.  If  the 
physic  does  not  operate  in  eight  hours,  repeat  half  doses 
every  six  hours.  After  purging  is  established,  admin- 
ister some  sedative,  such  as  opium.  Give  the  animal 
mashes  at  first,  and  then  light  food,  sparingly.  He  will 
need  many  kind  attentions. 

Another.  It  is  stated  in  the  "Boston  Medical  Jour- 
nal," that  Dr.  Isaac  Heister,  of  Reading,  Pa.,  cured  a 
boy,  sixteen  years  old,  by  the  use  of  a  solution  of  the 
extract  of  Indian  Hemp,  (Indica  cannabis  —  but  Apocynum 
cannabinum  of  Bigelow.)  He  directed  an  aqueous  solu- 
tion, containing  two  grains  to  the  tea-spopnful,  to  be  ad- 
ministered at  intervals ;  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  days, 
the  patient  was  entirely  relieved. 

RHEUMATISM   IN   THE   JOINTS. 

Cattle  and  horses,  from  great  exposure  to  cold  and  wet, 
particularly  cows  after  calving,  have  a  stiffness  in  the 
joints  ;  they  sometimes  swell,  and  cannot  be  bent  without 
pain  and  difficulty. 

Remedies.  Good  shelter,  and  sulphur  and  ginger ;  and 
rub  the  joints  with  camphorated  oil,  or  spirits  of  turpen- 
tine. Turpentine  and  hartshorn  are  good.  In  bad  tu- 
mors of  the  joints,  rub  on  iodine.  Use  the  solution  of 
the  chloride  of  lime  with  water,  for  ulcers  about  the 
joints.  [For  further  remedies  for  rheumatism,  see  Lini- 
ments, &c,  page  51.] 

INFLAMED  AND   SORE   EYES. 

Causes  are  various ;  sometimes  from  colds.  It  is  often 
caused  by  a  diseased  state  of  the  body,  or  head,  and  is 
only  a  symptom  of  disease. 

Remedy.  Remove  the  cause.  If  the  system  generally, 
or  the  head,  is  diseased,  restore  it  to  a  healthy  condition. 
The  eye  is  one  of  the  most  tender  and  delicate  organs, 
and  if  its  texture  is  destroyed,  nature  will  not  restore  it. 
Therefore,  put  the  body  in  that  healthy  state  that  will 
carry  restoration  to  every  diseased  part,  and  use  only 
mild  applications  to  the  eyes. 


DISEASES    OF   ANIMALS.  67 

For  Inflamed  Eyes,  foment  them  in  a  strong  decoc- 
tion of  raspberry  leaves,  or  beech  bark,  or  other  astrin- 
gent tea. 

Another.  Put  a  handful  of  the  inner  bark  of  sassafras 
twigs,  of  one  year's  growth,  into  a  pint  of  cold  water ; 
let  it  stand  several  hours,  and  it  will  become  a  thick 
mucilage ;  wash  the  eyes  out  well  with  this. 

The  Haw  of  the  eye,  in  the  horse,  is  a  membrane  that 
is  used  to  clear  the  eye  of  dust  and  protect  it  from  injury. 
It  descends  and  returns  with  astonishing  velocity.  When 
the  eye  is  inflamed,  the  haw  hardens  and  projects ;  and 
some  ignorant  persons  cut  it  off,  to  the  serious  and  last- 
ing injury  of  the  poor  animal. 

For  Sore  Eyes,  wash  them  in  Castile  or  other  mild 
soap ;  this  will  have  a  cleansing  and  curative  effect. 
Warm  milk  and  water  is  a  soothing  wash,  and  if  honey 
or  molasses  be  added,  it  will  be  still  better.  A  weak  lye 
of  the  ashes  of  beech  bark  is  excellent  for  sore  eyes. 

For  Weak  Eyes,  wash  them  in  warm  milk  in  which 
camomile  has  been  steeped.    Raspberry  tea  is  also  good. 

FOR   A   FILM  ON   THE   EYE. 

Pulverize  loaf  sugar  finely,  put  it  in  a  quill,  and  blow 
it  into  the  eye.  We  have  observed  excellent  success  to 
attend  this  simple  remedy.  In  some  cases,  sight  has  been 
restored  when  the  animal  had  become  completely  blind. 

Another  Remedy.  An  effectual  mode  of  removing 
a  film  from  the  eye  of  an  animal  is,  to  apply  a  tea  spoon- 
ful of  molasses  to  the  eyeball ;  so  says  one  who  has  cured 
oxen,  horses,  cows,  and  sheep  in  this  way. 

Another.  Mr.  Isaac  Hamblin,  of  Livermore,  says  in 
the  "  Maine  Farmer,"  if  the  left  eye  be  injured,  he  puts 
a  piece  of  fresh  butter,  as  large  as  a  hen's  egg,  into  the 
right  ear  ;  and  if  the  right  eye  be  affected,  into  the  left 
ear.  If  the  film  is  of  long  standing,  two  applications 
may  be  necessary.  It  will  remove  it  in  a  short  time. 
He  has  tried  this  remedy  for  forty  years,  without  failure. 

To  Prevent  a  Film.  If  any  horned  creature  should 
have  a  film  growing  on  the  eye,  from  a  hurt,  put  in  fine 
salt.     It  is  a  sure  cure,  but  rather  harsh. 


HORSES. 

TERMS    DENOTING 

THE   EXTERNAL   PARTS   OF   THE   HC 

1. 

Muzzle. 

21. 

Croup. 

2. 

Race. 

22. 

Dock. 

3. 

Forehead. 

23. 

Quarter. 

4. 

Poll. 

24. 

Thigh  or  Gaskin. 

5. 

Crest. 

25. 

Hamstring. 

6. 

Jowl. 

26. 

Joint  of  the  Hock 

7. 

Gullet. 

27. 

Ham  or  Hock. 

8. 

Windpipe. 

28. 

Common. 

9. 

Point  of  the  Shoulder. 

29. 

Fetlock. 

10. 

Breast  or  Bosom. 

30. 

Large  Pastern. 

11. 

Arm. 

31. 

Small  Pastern. 

12. 

Elbow. 

32. 

Coronet. 

13. 

Girth. 

33. 

Hoof. 

14. 

Flank. 

34. 

Knee. 

15. 

Sheath. 

35. 

Common. 

16. 

Stifles. 

36. 

Fetlock. 

17. 

Withers. 

37. 

Heel. 

18. 

Back. 

38. 

Large  Pastern. 

19. 

Loins. 

39. 

Small  Pastern. 

20. 

Hip. 

40. 

Hoof. 

The  engraving  on  the  left  represents  the  English  cart- 
horse, to  which  the  highest  prize  of  the  Royal  Agricul- 
tural Society  was  awarded,  in  1843.  These  horses  are 
of  a  large  size,  distinguished  for  strength  and  endurance, 
and  are  well  adapted  to  slow,  heavy  draught. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  A  GOOD  HORSE. 

The  head  should  not  be  large,  but  rather  light,  and 
neatly,  not  abruptly,  affixed  to  the  neck;  the  eyes 
bright,  full,  rather  prominent,  and  set  well  apart ;  horses 
with  white,  or  wall-eyes,  cannot  see  well,  and  are  more 
liable  to  be  skittish ;  eyelids  thin  and  dry ;  the  quirl 
high  in  the  forehead ;  ears  thin,  narrow,  erect,  of  mid- 
dling length,  and  not  distant  from  each  other ;  forehead 


70  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

flat,  not  too  large  or  square,  and  running  nearly  in  a 
straight  line  to  the  muzzle  ;  nostrils  capacious  ;  muzzle 
small  and  fine ;  lips  thin ;  mouth  tolerably  deep ;  the 
jaw  bones  wide  at  top. 

The  neck  rather  short  and  light,  as  the  reverse,  as 
well  as  a  heavy  head,  induces  stumbling ;  it  should  not 
be  gross  and  thick,  nor  large  and  deep,  but  rising  strong 
and  promptly  from  the  shoulders  and  withers,  and  after- 
wards declining  and  tapering  to  the  head,  with  a  strong 
crest,  and  somewhat  crowning  at  the  top ;  on  the  under 
part,  the  neck  should  be  straight  from  the  chest,  and  by 
no  means  convex. 

The  shoulders  capacious,  of  large  extent,  and  spread- 
ing well  back ;  they  should  reach  fairly  to  the  top  of  the 
withers,  which  should  be  well  raised,  but  not  too  high ; 
if  the  withers  are  low  and  flat  on  the  top,  the  horse  will 
be  inclined  to  plunge  and  stumble ;  the  chest  should  be 
deep,  rather  broad,  and  full. 

The  body  substantial,  deep,  and  round,  a  cylinder 
being  the  best  form  for  capacity ;  round  horses  have  the 
best  wind,  as  their  lungs  have  full  play,  and  they  keep 
in  the  best  condition,  and  require  the  least  food ;  the 
back  a  plane  of  good  width,  handsomely  rounded  ;  back 
bone  straight,  or  with  a  trifling  inclination,  and  rather 
short :  a  very  short  back  indicates  strength,  but  not 
speed  and  action ;  loins  wide,  and  the  muscles  of  the 
reins  full  and  swelling  on  each  side  the  back  bone ,  ribs 
well  rounded  out ;  the  hip  bones  thrown  well  forward, 
forming  a  strong  loin,  with  a  sufficient  space  between 
the  ribs  and  hip  bones,  which  should  be  round ;  the 
buttocks  deep  and  oval ;  the  rump  level  with,  or  not 
much  elevated  above,  the  withers ;  the  croup  must  have 
reasonable  space,  and  not  sink  too  suddenly,  as  that 
would  set  the  tail  too  low,  which  ought  to  be  nearly  on 
a  level  with  the  back ;  the  dock  should  be  strong,  and 
well  covered  with  hair. 

The  hinder  quarters  should  spread  to  a  wider  extent 
than  the  fore  parts,  and  the  hind  feet  stand  further 
asunder  than  those  before ;  the  thighs  should  be  straight, 
large,  muscular,  and  of  considerable  length ;  the  hock 
wide  and  clean ;  the  shank  not  too  long,  but  flat,  and  of 


HORSES.  71 

sufficient  substance,  its  sinew  large  and  distinct ;  the  let- 
locks  long;  the  hocks  should  form  an  angle  of  such  an 
extent  as  to  place  the  feet  immediately  under  the  flank. 
The  fore  arms,  like  the  thighs,  should  be  large,  muscu- 
lar, and  of  good  length,  the  elbows  not  turning  outwards  ; 
the  knees  large,  and  lean  ;  the  shank,  or  cannon  bone, 
flat,  strong,  and  not  too  long ;  the  tendon  large ;  the 
fore  arm  and  shank  must  form  nearly  a  straight  line  ; 
fetlock  joints  large  and  clean  ;  pasterns  inclining  to  a 
certain  degree,  not  too  long,  but  large  in  proportion  to 
their  length ;  the  coronary  rings  not  thick  or  swelled,  but 
clean,  dry,  and  hairy;  the  feet  neither  too  high  nor  too 
flat,  and  of  size  apparently  a  sufficient  base  for  the 
weight  they  have  to  sustain ;  hoofs,  of  color  dark  and 
shining,  without  scams  or  wrinkles,  tough  and  strong, 
not  hard  like  oak  :  foot  internaliy  concave,  sole  hard, 
but  not  shrunk,  heels  wide  and  of  middling  height ;  frog 
not  too  large  or  fleshy,  but  tough  and  sound ;  the  feet 
of  equal  size,  should  stand  exactly  parallel,  so  that  the 
front  or  toe  incline  neither  inward  nor  outward;  the 
fore  feet  should  stand  perpendicular  to  the  chest ;  not 
too  much  under  it,  and  they  should  be  less  wide  apart 
than  the  fore  arms  ;  the  legs  should  not  be  loaded  with 
hair. 

CHOOSING   A   GOOD   HORSE. 

Besides  regarding  the  most  prominent  marks  of  a 
good  horse,  there  are  many  other  things  to  be  taken  into 
consideration.  Perfect  feet  are  indispensable.  A  horse 
with  bad  feet  is  always  unsafe;  he  will  trip,  and  is  very 
liable  to  fall.  Any  tenderness  or  uneasiness  about  a 
horse's  feet  renders  him  unsafe. 

When  a  horse  is  offered  for  sale,  the  purchaser  should 
ask  one  question,  viz  :  —  "Is  he,  in  all  respects,  perfectly 
sound?'*'  Should  a  cheat  be  practised,  damages  could 
be  recovered.  View  his  feet  and  legs :  large  ridges  on 
the  hoofs,  or  very  flat  feet,  discover  a  horse  to  be  subject 
to  founder ;  large,  gouty  legs,  with  enlarged  tendons, 
indicate  strains  and  other  injuries.  Examine  his  hind 
legs  with  great  attention,  just  below  the  hock,  and  inside 
the  hind  knee ;  if  there  is  any  unnatural  prominence,  or 


72  DISEASES   Of   ANIMALS. 

knot,  unlike  the  other  knee,  it  wears  the  appearance  of 
spavin,  which  renders  a  horse  of  but  little  value.  Splent, 
which  appears  on  the  inside  of  the  fore  leg,  and  wind- 
galls,  upon  the  ankles,  are  unpleasant  to  the  eye,  but 
seldom  produce  any  other  injury  than  stiffness,  as  he 
advances  in  years. 

Ride,  yourself,  for  the  purpose  of  trying  his  gahs  and 
other  qualities,  as  a  rider  accustomed  to  a  horse  by  pri- 
vate signs,  such  as  manner  of  riding,  bearing  on  the  bit, 
leaning  forward  or  backward,  holding  the  heels  close  to 
the  sides,  &c,  can  make  a  dull  horse  appear  gay  and 
spirited ;  a  wild  horse,  gentle ;  a  stumbler,  sure-footed ; 
one  that  is  blind,  appear  to  see ;  and  a  starting  horse, 
free  from  that  great  objection,  &c.  Before  mounting  him, 
examine  his  knees,  to  discover  if  they  are  skinned,  the 
hair  off,  or  scarred.  These  are  strong  symptoms  of  his 
politeness,  to  a  fault.  Ride  with  your  bridle  loose,  over 
an  uneven  ground ;  if  he  is  in  the  habit  of  stumbling,  he 
will  very  readily  inform  you.  Then  approach  some 
object  offensive  to  the  sight;  if  he  appears  much 
alarmed,  you  may  judge  he  has  long  been  in  the  habit 
of  that  bad  practice.  Ride  him  in  all  his  different  gaits, 
to  ascertain  if  they  are  smooth,  easy,  and  agreeable. 
Move  him  about  a  mile,  out  and  back,  in  fully  half 
speed ;  frequently  stopping  him  suddenly,  to  try  hi9 
wind ;  also  if  he  is  spavined.  If  his  wind  has  been 
injured,  he  will  blow  unnaturally,  making  a  loud 
wheezing  noise,  with  great  difficulty  of  breathing. 

When  a  horse  is  rode  by  any  person  for  you  to  judge 
of  his  gaits,  you  should  have  him  moved  towards  you, 
from  you,  and  finally  by  you,  that  you  may  have  the 
opportunity  of  discovering  if  there  is  any  turning  in  or 
about  his  knees  and  ankles,  before  or  behind.  A  well 
shaped  horse  will  track  as  true,  or  his  legs  will  follow 
each  other  in  as  direct  a  line,  as  the  wheels  of  a  wel} 
constructed  carriage.  Hard  steps,  short  going,  and  great 
apparent  labor,  is  offensive  to  the  sight,  unpleasant  to 
the  rider,  and  fatiguing  to  the  horse  himself. 

The  following  judicious  remarks  on  choosing  a  horse 
are  from  Dr.  Paul  Jewett,  of  Rowley,  who,  some  forty  or 
fifty  years  ago,  conferred  an  \mportant  favor  on  th«  pub- 


HORSES.  73 

lie  by  valuable  directions  for  managing  stock  and  treat- 
ing sick  animals : 

';  There  is  much  pleasure  and  profit  in  the  service  of  a 
good  horse,  and  but  very  little  of  either  in  a  bad  one. 
There  are  many  mean  horses  that  make  a  good  appear- 
ance when  taken  from  the  hands  of  a  jockey.  In  pur- 
chasing a  horse,  then,  trust  not  too  much  to  the  seller's 
word;  let  your  own  judgment,  or  that  of  a  friend,  be 
chiefly  relied  on.  See  that  he  has  good  feet  and  joints, 
and  that  he  stands  well  on  his  legs.  See  that  his  fore 
teeth  shut  even ;  for  many  horses  have  their  under  jaw 
the  shortest ;  these  will  grow  poor  at  grass.  See  that 
his  hair  is  short  and  fine,  for  this  denotes  a  good  horse. 
Observe  his  eyes,  that  they  are  clear,  and  free  from  blem- 
ishes ;  that  he  is  not  moon-eyed,  or  white-eyed ;  for  such 
are  apt  to  start  in  the  night.  A  large,  hazel  colored  eye 
is  the  best. 

"  Take  care  that  his  wind  is  good  ;  let  him  be  fed  on 
good  hay  for  twenty-four  hours ;  take  him  then  to  water, 
and  let  him  drink  his  fill,  placing  him  with  his  head  the 
lowest ;  if  then  he  will  breathe  free,  there  is  no  danger. 
See  that  his  countenance  is  bright  and  cheerful.  If  his 
nostrils  are  broad,  it  is  a  sign  that  he  is  well  winded ; 
narrow  nostrils,  the  contrary. 

'•'See  that  his  spirits  are  good,  yet  gentle  and  easily 
governed.  In  travelling,  mind  that  he  lifts  his  feel 
neither  too  high  nor  too  low;  that  he  does  not  interfere 
nor  overreach,  and  that  he  carries  his  hind  legs  the 
widest.  Age  from  five  to  ten  is  the  best.  There  are 
many  tricks  practised  by  jockeys,  to  make  horses  appear 
young.  Horses'  teeth,  when  young,  are  wide,  white  and 
even ;  the  inside  of  their  mouth  is  fleshy,  and  their  lips 
hard  and  firm.  On  the  contrary,  the  mouth  of  an  old 
horse  is  lean  above  and  below ;  the  lips  are  soft  and  easily 
turned  up;  their  teeth  grow  longer,  narrower,  and  of  a 
yellow  color." 


74  DISEASES    OF    ANIMaLS. 


TO   ASCERTAIN   A  HORSE'S   AGE. 

The  age  of  a  horse  is  only  determinable,  with  precision 
by  his  teeth  ;  and  that  rule  fails  after  a  certain  period, 
and  is  sometimes  uncertain,  even  within  that  period.  A 
horse  has  40  teeth  ;  namely,  24  double  teeth  or  grinders, 
4  tushes  or  single  teeth,  and  12  front  teeth  or  gatherers. 
Mares  have  no  tushes,  in  general.  The  mark  which 
discovers  the  age  is  to  be  found  in  the  front  teeth,  next 
the  tushes.  In  a  few  weeks,  with  some,  the  foal's  12 
fore  teeth  begin  to  shoot ;  these  are  short,  round,  white, 
and  easily  distinguishable  from  the  adult  or  horse's  teeth, 
with  which  they  come  afterwards  to  be  mixed.  At  some 
period  between  two  and  three  years  old,  the  colt  changes 
his  teeth  ;  that  is  to  say,  he  sheds  the  4  middle  fore  teeth, 
2  above  and  2  below,  which  are  some  time  after  replaced 
with  horse's  teeth.  After  three  years  old,  2  others  are 
changed,  one  on  each  side  the  former;  lie  has  then  S 
colt's  and  4  horse's  teeth.  After  four  years  old,  he  cuts 
4  new  teeth.  1  on  each  side  those  last  replaced,  and  has 
at  that  age,  8  horse's  and  4  foal's  teeth.  These  last  new 
Teeth  are  slow  growers,  compared  with  the  preceding : 
they  are  the  corner  teeth,  next  the  tushes,  are  called 
pincers,  and  are  those  which  bear  the  mark  :  this  mark 
consists  in  the  tooth  being  hollow,  and  in  the  cavity 
bearing  a  black  spot,  resembling  the  eye  of  a  bean.  The 
tushes  may  then  be  felt.  At  four  years  and  a  half  old, 
these  mark  teeth  are  just  visible  above  the  gum,  and  the 
cavity  is  very  conspicuous.  At  five  years  old,  the  horse 
has  shed  his  remaining  4  colt's  teeth,  and  his  tushes  ap- 
pear. At  six,  his  tushes  are  up,  and  appear  white,  small 
and  sharp,  near  about  which  is  observable  a  small  circle 
of  young  growing  flesh  ;  the  horse's  mouth  is  now  com- 
plete, and  the  black  mark  has  arrived  at,  or  very  near, 
the  upper  extremity  of  the  corner  teeth.  At  seven,  the 
2  middle  teeth  fill  up.  Between  the  seventh  and  eighth 
year,  all  the  teeth  are  filled  up,  the  black  mark  has  van- 
ished, and  the  horse  is  then  said  to  be  aged,  and  his 
mouth  full. 

From  that  time  forward,  the  age  of  the  horse  can  only 


HORSES.  75 

be  guessed  at  from  certain  indications  ;  but  these  guesses 
are  usually  made  with  considerable  accuracy  by  experi- 
enced people.  If  his  teeth  shut  close,  and  meet  even, 
are  tolerably  white,  not  over  long,  and  his  gums  appear 
plump,  you  may  conclude  lie  is  not  yet  nine  years  old. 
At  that  age,  and  as  he  advances,  his  teeth  become  yellow 
and  foul,  and  appear  to  lengthen,  from  the  shrinking  and 
receding  of  the  gums.  The  tushes  are  blunt  at  nine ;  but 
at  ten  years  old,  the  cavity  or  channel  on  the  inside  of  the 
upper  tushes,  until  that  period  to  be  felt  by  the  finger,  are 
entirely  filled  up.  At  eleven,  the  teeth  will  be  very  long, 
black,  and  foul,  but  will  generally  meet  even  ;  at  twelve, 
his  upper-jaw  teeth  will  overhang  the  nether;  at  thir- 
teen, and  upwards,  his  tushes  will  be  either  worn  to  the 
stumps,  or  long,  black  and  foul,  like  those  of  an  old  boar. 
Beside  those  exhibited  by  the  mouth,  nature  ever  fur- 
nishes a  variety  of  signals,  denoting  the  approach  of  old 
age  and  decay,  tnroughout  the  bodies  of  all  animals. 
After  a  horse  has  passed  his  prime,  a  hollowness  of  his 
temples  will  be  perceived  ,  his  muscles  will  be  continu- 
ally losing  something  of  their  plumpness  ;  and  his  hair, 
that  gloss  and  burnish  which  is  the  characteristic  of 
youth  and  prime,  will  look  dead,  faded,  or  entirely  lose 
its  color  in  various  parts.  In  proportion  to  the  excess  of 
these  appearances,  will  be  the  horse's  age. 

The  following  arc  among  the  devices  practised  by  a 
set  of  unfeeling  rascals,  who  have  no  other  rule  of  con- 
duct than  their  supposed  interest  to  counterfeit  the  marks 
of  age  in  horses.  At  four  years  old,  they  will  frequently 
knock  out  the  remaining  colt's  teeth,  in  order  to  make 
the  horse  appear  five  ;  but  you  will  be  convinced  of  the 
fraud  by  the  non-appearance  of  the  tushes  ;  and  if  it  be 
a  mare,  by  a  shortness  and  smallness  of  the  corner  teeth, 
and,  indeed,  of  the  teeth  in  general.  To  give  an  old  horse 
the  mark,  is  termed  to  bishop  him ;  from  the  name  of  a 
noted  operator.  They  burn  a  hole  in  each  of  the  corner 
teeth,  and  make  the  shell  fine  and  thin,  with  some  iron 
instrument,  scraping  all  the  teeth  to  make  them  white ; 
sometimes  they  even  file  them  all  down  short  and  even. 


76  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

BLIND  BRIDLES. 
"Look  and  reflect;  U3e  your  own  intellect." 

"  Yes,  use  your  thinking  powers,  friends ;  they  were 
given  you  to  use,  and  not  abuse.  Blind  bridles !  truly 
named,  surely.  Art  never  invented  a  more  fatal  thing  to 
the  eyes  of  horses  than  when  she  devised  this  plan  of  de- 
priving the  horse  of  what  nature  intended  he  should  enjoy. 
But,  says  one,  how  are  blinders  injurious  to  the  horse  ? 
Because  they  gather  dirt  and  heat  around  the  eyes. 
Dirt  irritates  the  eye,  and  heat  produces  inflammation. 
These  bridles  so  entrammel  the  eyes  of  the  horse  that  he 
is  compelled  to  be  constantly  straining  them,  to  sen  his 
way.  The  overexertion  of  the  nerve  brings  on  disease. 
Eyes  were  not  made  in  vain.  Had  they  been  needless, 
the  Creator  would  not  have  located  them  in  the  head. 
They  were  placed  on  the  corner  of  the  head  that  he  might 
have  the  advantage  of  looking  in  different  directions. 
Men,  in  the  abundance  of  their  wisdom,  concluded  the 
horse  had  too  much  sight,  and  they  wished  to  curtail  it ; 
hence  the  origin  of  blind  bridles.  Think  of  this  seriously, 
and  you  will  abandon  the  use  of  so  destructive  an  ap- 
pendage. Remember,  that  blind  bridles  and  diseased 
eyes  are  inseparably  connected.  Custom  hoodwinks  the 
senses  of  men  as  much  as  blind  bridles  do  the  vision  of 
horses." — [J.  Maddock,  Farrier.] 

We  once  had  a  young  horse  that  was  so  frightened  on 
removing  the  blind  bridle  to  bait  him,  which  suddenly 
brought  the  chaise  to  his  sight,  that  he  was  restrained 
with  great  difficulty,  and  would  have  cleared  with  the 
carriage,  had  he  not  been  pent  up  by  the  fence.  We 
never  used  the  blinders  again,  but  made  him  familiar 
with  carriages  before  harnessing  him. 

Without  blinders,  horses  can  see  objects  as  they  ap- 
proach them  behind ;  but  when  blinded,  the  object  comes 
close  and  suddenly  upon  them,  and  often  occasions  af- 
fright. 


77 


CHECK  REINS. 


The  cheek  or  bearing  reins  of  a  horse  answer  no  good 
purpose,  but  are  a  great  evil ;  a  severe  restraint  and  vexa- 
tion ;  confining  his  head  in  an  unnatural  position,  by 
which  he  is  constantly  tormented.  He  cannot  travel  at 
ease,  nor  see  impediments  in  the  road,  and,  when  he 
makes  a  misstep,  is  more  liable  to  stumble. 

We  have  observed  that  the  greatest  travellers  are  those 
horses  whose  humane  masters  have  allowed  their  heads 
to  be  free  ;  and  as  they  draw  a  load  up  hill,  a  motion  of 
the  head  is  perceived,  which  supports  the  motion  of  the 
feet  and  legs,  in  the  same  way  as  a  man,  in  walking, 
assists  the  motion  of  his  legs  by  a  counteracting  motion 
of  the  arms.  How  would  a  man  walk  with  his  arms 
tied  to  his  sides  ?  Let  those  who  torment  their  horses 
with  unnecessary  restraint,  try  it  on  themselves. 

Besides  these  serious  disadvantages  in  travelling,  the 
horse,  by  the  use  of  the  fixed  bridle,  is  in  a  painful  posi- 
tion at  all  times  ;  even  when  standing,  he  cannot  rest  at 
ease,  but  is  incessantly  tossing  up  his  head,  to  get  momen- 
tary relief  from  this  painful  position  ;  which  violent  and 
constant  action  produces  inflammation  and  ulceration  on 
the  point  upon  which  the  head  articulates  with  the  spine  ; 
hence  the  poll  evil,  and  here  we  have  the  reason  for  this 
formidable  disorder  being  almost  exclusively  confined  to 
carriage  horses. 

"We  found,  a  long  time  since,  by  experience  and  obser- 
vation, that  horses  would  travel  better,  perform  more 
labor,  and  were  less  liable  to  stumble,  when  their  heads 
were  free;  therefore,  we  abandoned  the  cruel  practice; 
and  we  hope  that  it  will  be  totally  abolished,  and,  with 
that  absurd  custom  of  using  blind  bridles,  sink  into  obliv- 
ion, so  that,  in  regard  to  these  fashions,  our  grand- 
children may  laugh  at  the  folly  of  their  forefathers. 
7* 


7S  DISEASES    OF   AXDIALS. 


STABLES. 

Stables  should  be  on  an  elevated,  dry  situation,  so 
that  a  horse  can  go  in  and  out,  clean,  in  bad  weather. 
He  delights  in  cleanliness,  and  would  snuff  the  pure 
breeze,  and  slake  his  thirst  at  the  crystal  fountain.  Sta 
bles  should  be  capacious,  and  well  ventilated.  These  are 
important  requisites  to  the  health  and  comfort  of  the 
horse.  All  offensive  matters  should  be  removed  from 
the  stable,  lest  diseases  be  generated.  After  cleaning 
the  stall,  strew  plaster  on  the  floor,  to  absorb  the  gas. 
This  will  pay  all  expense,  in  the  improvement  in  the 
manure. 

Stables  should  be  light,  bnt  a  very  strong,  glaring  light 
should  be  avoided.  Dark  stables  are  injurious  to  the  eyes  ; 
so  is  the  ammonia!  gas  that  arises  from  impure  stables. 
Close,  hot,  foul  stables,  are  very  unwholesome.  They  not 
only  cause  disease,  but  they  make  the  horse  tender,  and 
predispose  him  to  other  diseases  than  those  generated  in 
the  stable. 

Over  the  horses,  stables  should  be  ceiled  tight  or  plas- 
tered, to  prevent  the  hay  from  being  scented  by  the 
exhalations  from  the  dung,  urine,  perspiration,  and 
breath. 

The  rack  should  be  smooth,  and  the  uprights  about 
four  or  four  and  a  half  inches  apart,  so  that  the  horse 
can  conveniently  draw  out  the  fodder,  and  yet  not  draw 
it  out  so  fast  as  to  waste  it.  The  part  of  the  rack  next 
the  horse  should  be  upright,  that  the  chaff,  dust,  and 
seed,  may  not  fall  down  into  the  horse's  face,  eyes,  ears, 
and  mane.  In  some  stables  in  England,  there  is  no 
rack,  all  the  fodder  being  cut,  and  fed  into  the  manger. 
The  halter  should  run  through  a  ring,  or  hole  in  the 
manger,  and  be  kept  tight  by  a  weight  of  about  one 
pound ;  then,  when  the  halter  is  slack  by  the  horse's 
advancing,  it  is  drawn  up  out  of  the  way,  so  that  he 
cannot  step  over  it.  If  the  length  of  a  halter  is  station- 
ary, it  is  too  short  to  allow  the  hcrse  to  lie  down :  or  so 
long  that  there  is  danger  of  his  stepping  over  it,  and 


HORSES.  79 

being  cast.    Many  a  fine  horse  has  been  ruined  in  this 
way. 

The  stalls  should  be  four  and  a  half  or  five  feet  wide, 
that  the  horse  may  lie  down  with  ease.  As  a  level  posi- 
tion is  most  natural  for  the  horse's  feet,  the  floor  of  the 
stall  should  slope  barely  sufficient  to  drain  off  the  urine. 

STABLE    FLOORS. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  a  floor  of  plank,  or  other  hard 
substance,  is  injurious,  not  only  from  its  hard,  unyield- 
ing nature,  but  from  its  keeping  the  fore  feet  dry.  The 
horse,  in  his  natural  state,  stands  on  a  soft  and  yielding 
substance,  and  which  is  often  moist.  The  hoofs  of 
horses  are  a  horny,  porous,  elastic  substance,  often 
receiving  moisture,  which  is  necessary  to  their  well- 
being.  The  constant  dryness  of  their  fore  feet  in  stables, 
may  account  for  their  being  more  lame  in  these  feet. 

Plank  floors,  as  usually  constructed,  cause  horses  to 
stand  uneasy,  constantly  straining  some  of  the  muscles 
of  their  legs,  while  sustaining  themselves  in  an  unnatu- 
ral position. 

To  remedy  these  evils,  on  plank  floors,  make  them 
almost  entirely  level,  and  allow  horses  bedding  to  stand 
on,  to  mollify  the  hardness ;  and  frequently  wet  the  fore 
feet.  Many  prepare  a  floor  of  earth,  and  there  is  no 
doubt  that  it  is  better.  Many  farmers  have  a  room 
for  a  horse,  where  he  can  stand  on  the  manure  all  win- 
ter, having  it  levelled  occasionally,  especially  where  he 
stands  to  eat,  that  it  may  not  accumulate  too  high  under 
his  hind  feet.  There  is  less  waste  of  manure  than  when 
thrown  out,  and  it  will  not  ferment  so  early  in  spring. 

One  of  the  best  kind  of  stable  floor,  where  the  soil  is 
dry,  is  made  of  lime,  clay,  and  ashes,  in  equal  parts. 
Mix  into  a  mortar,  and  spread  a  foot  deep.  It  will  soon 
dry,  and  make  a  smooth,  fine  flooring,  easy  and  agreea- 
ble for  horses  to  stand  on,  and  free  from  objections  to 
stone,  bricks,  and  wood.  When  the  corks  on  the  shoes 
are  long  and  sharp,  have  the  litter  deeper,  to  preserve 
the  floor. 


SO  DISEASES    OF   ANIMALS. 


DOCKING   AND  NICKING. 

Nicking  is  an  innuman  practice,  that  has  gone  almost 
entirely  out  of  use.  It  not  only  inflicts  severe  punish- 
ment on  the  beast,  during  the  tedious  operation,  but  it 
weakens  him  forever  afterwards  ;  it  is  also  liable  to  pro 
duce  locked  jaw. 

Of  late  years,  there  are  many  reflecting,  intelligent 
persons,  who  think  the  horse's  tail  was  made  for  some 
useful  purpose,  and  that  he  should  have  it  to  defend  him- 
self from  myriads  of  flies  and  insects  that  swarm  around 
him,  in  the  warm  season,  to  his  great  annoyance  and 
vexation.  Some  think  the  horse  will  look  better  for 
being  docked,  and  that  this  operation  will  cause  his  hind 
quarters  to  fill  out  fuller  and  stronger.  Docking  is  per- 
formed by  a  single  stroke  of  some  sharp  instrument.  If 
it  bleed  too  much,  put  the  inner,  soft  part  of  sole  leather 
on  the  wound,  and  tie  the  hair  over  it.  The  tail  should 
be  cut  in  a  joint.    This  custom  is  declining. 

EXERCISE. 

Horses  constantly  stabled  should  be  moderately  exei- 
cised  two  hours  a  day,  when  the  weather  permits,  in 
order  to  keep  up  their  health  and  strength ;  for  a  horse 
will  soon  lose  his  strength  as  well  as  health,  without 
exercise,  if  confined.  Much  depends  on  age,  as  a  young 
horse  requires  more  exercise  than  an  old  one.  For 
neither  should  it  be  violent ;  and  the  horse  should  not 
be  put  up  till  he  is  cool ;  nor  should  he  be  allowed  to  cool 
at  rest ;  but  during  very  gentle  exercise.  Horses  run- 
ning in  the  pasture  are  better  for  moderate  exercise 
frequently. 

A  horse's  exercise  should  be  in  proportion  to  his 
strength,  manner  of  feeding,  labor  required,  tec. 

Horses  should  not  be  rode  fast  after  having  been 
newly  fed  and  watered.  A  fat  horse  requires  a  long 
course  of  moderate  exercise  before  he  can  be  safely  put 
to  a  violent  trot. 

It  should  be  a  general  rule  to  ride  a  horse  moderately 


horses.  SI 

at  the  beginning  of  a  stage ;  afterwards  increase  the 
pace,  and  slacken  it  again  a  mile  or  two  before  step- 
ping, so  as  to  bring  him  tolerably  cool  into  the  stable 
[See  remarks  on  Exercise,  page  20.] 

REARING  AND   TRAINING   COLTS. 

In  his  infancy,  the  colt  will  generally  get  along  very 
well  by  his  own  exertions,  with  the  affectionate  care  of 
his  mother.  But  sometimes,  colts,  like  calves  and  lambs, 
are  weak  or  foolish,  and  need  assistance ;  and,  again, 
the  mother  may  be  ignorant  or  unfeeling,  and  some 
attention  may  be  necessary. 

The  sooner  the  training  commences,  the  better,  after 
the  colt  is  several  weeks  old,  if  it  be  done  by  a  discreet 
person,  so  that  he  may  receive  the  kindest  treatment 
He  may  be  fastened  by  a  halter,  where  he  cannot  injure 
himself,  or  shut  up  in  a  safe  room.  The  better  way  is 
to  fasten  him,  generally ;  then,  after  having  tried  in  vain 
to  break  away,  he  will  learn  to  stand  hitched,  and  by 
leading  him,  and  handling  him  when  fastened,  he  will 
the  sooner  be  tamed  and  rendered  familiar. 

There  are  many  disadvantages  in  colts  following  their 
dams,  and  they  should  frequently  be  left  at  home  when 
their  mothers  are  going  far  and  will  return  the  same 
day  or  evening,  or  are  going  a  moderate  distance  and 
back  quick,  so  that  the  exercise  would  be  too  much  for 
the  colt.  If  the  mare  travels  far  in  hot  weather,  the  colt 
will  not  only  be  injured  by  travelling,  but  he  will  be 
greatly  injured  by  using  heated  milk.  If  he  be  left  at 
home,  the  milk  can  be  extracted  on  the  way,  to  prevent 
injur}'  to  the  mare ;  and,  on  returning,  it  should  be 
nearly  all  drawn  out,  to  prevent  injury  to  the  colt ;  then 
he  will  gradually  fill  his  stomach,  as  the  milk  is  secreted. 
This  is  by  far  the  better  way  of  the  two ;  but  the  best 
way  of  all  is  to  use  the  mare  but  little.  Some  would 
object  to  the  colt's  going  without  milk  all  day.  What 
do  they  think  of  thousands  of  calves  that  do  this,  and 
grow  and  flourish  well  ? 

Sometimes  colts  will  go  off  after  another  horse.  Again, 
they  will  start  to  go  abroad,  and  will  not  follow  well ; 


S2  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

and  they  often  busy  themselves  in  eating  harnesses. 
These  are  all  vexations. 

Colts  are  weaned  when  four  to  seven  months  old 
They  should  be  put  into  a  small  enclosure,  for  conve- 
nience in  seeing  to  them  often,  where  there  is  pure 
water,  a  plenty  of  sweet  herbage,  and  trees,  or  some- 
thing that  will  be 

'•From  storms  a  shelter,  and  from  heat  a  shade." 

Give  them  a  little  salt.  If  weaned  after  the  green  herb- 
age is  gone,  feed  on  rowen,  well  saved,  clover,  and  a 
few  roots.     A  little  meal  and  a  few  oats  are  good. 

Take  colts  to  the  barn  in  the  fall,  when  cold  nights 
come  on  ;  and  give  them  clover  hay,  roots,  and  some 
provender.  They  require  special  attention  the  first 
winter.  A  little  exercise  is  of  great  advantage.  Under 
a  wise  manager,  they  may  be  trained  to  a  sleigh.  When 
well  disciplined,  drive  moderately ;  walk  up  hill,  and 
down  hill,  too,  if  quite  steep.  Consider  that  a  colt  is  a 
'•'  wee  bit  of  a  thing,"  compared  with  a  horse,  in  strength  : 
and  he  should  be  put  to  no  hardships.  Gentle  training 
will  save  breaking,  and  he  will  make  a  more  intelligent 
and  tractable  horse.  Put  no  weights  on  his  back  in  his 
tender  age. 

Colts  are  seldom  or  never  vicious  by  nature.  If  well 
educated,  by  first  learning  them  what  they  are  required 
to  perform,  and  then  encouraged  and  directed,  by  gentle 
means  and  the  kindest  treatment,  there  would  seldom  be 
any  trouble,  or  need  of  compulsion  or  severity.  [See 
Training  and  Ereaking,  page  27,  and  the  following 
article.] 

TAMING,  TRAINING,  AND  BREAKING. 

We  have  given  some  general  rides  on  this  subject. 
We  here  give  modes  of  taming  wild  and  vicious  horses, 
and  training  horses,  generally,  to  specific  purposes. 

TAMING   VICIOUS   HORSES. 

Mr.  Denton  Offutt,  of  Kentucky,  distinguished  him- 
self in  taming  horses,  in  all  their  varieties  of  vices  and 
faults.     He  would  make  any  horse  follow  him  in  the 


HORSES.  83 

street,  in  a  few  minutes.  His  mode  was  very  gentle. 
He  slowly  approached  a  horse,  rubbed  him  gently  on  the 
head  in  the  direction  of  the  hair,  the  faster  the  better ; 
then  rubbed  and  patted  him  all  over,  going  to  his  head 
whenever  he  seemed  alarmed.  He  would  put  on  the 
bridle  and  halter ;  talk  kindly  to  him,  saying,  "  come 
along."  Put  on  and  took  ofl'  the  saddle,  always  calming 
his  fears  with  kindness.  In  this  way,  he  would  tame 
and  subdue  by  gentleness ;  the  horse  would  become 
familiar,  pleased,  and  tractable. 

TAMING    ANIMALS. 

Mr.  Catlin,  in  his  work  on  the  North  American  Indians, 
gave  the  following  account  of  their  method  of  taming  the 
wild  buffalo  calves,  and  wild  horses  :  — 

"  I  have  often,  in  concurrence  with  a  well-known  cus- 
tom of  the  country,  held  my  hand  over  the  eyes  of  the 
calf,  and  breathed  a  few  strong  breaths  into  his  nostrils  ; 
after  which,  I  have  rode  several  miles  into  our  encamp- 
ment, with  the  little  prisoner  busily  following  the  heels 
of  my  horse,  as  close  and  affectionately  as  its  instinct 
would  attach  it  to  the  company  of  its  dam.  During  the 
time  that  I  resided  at  this  point,  in  the  spring  of  the 
year,  on  my  way  up  the  river,  I  assisted  in  bringing  in, 
in  the  above  manner,  several  of  these  little  prisoners, 
which  sometimes  followed  for  five  or  six  miles  close  to 
our  horses'  heels,  and  even  into  the  fur  company's  fort, 
and  into  the  stables  where  our  horses  are  led. 

In  the  same  way  the  wild  horses  are  tamed.  When 
the  Indian  has  got  him  well  secured  with  the  lasso,  and 
a  pair  of  hobbles  on  his  feet,  he  gradually  advances 
until  he  is  able  to  place  his  hand  on  the  animal's  nose, 
over  his  eyes,  and  at  length  to  breathe  in  its  nostrils,  when 
it  soon  becomes  docile  and  conquered ;  so  that  he  has 
little  more  to  do  than  to  remove  the  hobbles  from  his 
feet,  and  ride  him  into  the  camp." 

The  following  is  an  account  of  an  experiment  by  this 
mode.  A  horse-tamer  saw  a  farmer  and  his  tenants 
trying,  ineffectually,  to  break  a  horse  in  the  old  way ; 
and  he  proposed  to  try  the  effect  of  his  new  mode.    The 


84  DISEASES   OF   ANIMALS. 

filly  was  tied  short  up  to  a  tree  by  the  wall,  and  the 
tamer  was  warned  to  be  cautious,  as  she  would  strike 
him  with  her  lore  feet.  He  approached  cautiously  over 
the  wall,  and  by  the  tree.  Immediately  upon  his  touch- 
ing the  halter,  the  horse  pranced  about,  and  finally 
pulled  away,  with  a  dogged  and  stubborn  expression. 
which  seemed  to  bid  defiance.  Taking  advantage  of 
this,  he  leaned  over  as  far  as  he  could,  clinging  all  the 
lime  to  the  tree  with  his  right  hand,  and  succeeded  in 
breathing  in  one  nostril,  without,  however,  being  able 
to  blind  the  eyes.  From  that  moment,  all  became  easy. 
He  was  very  skilful  in  the  management  of  a  horse, 
coaxed  it,  and  rubbed  its  face,  and  breathed  from  time 
to  time  into  the  nostrils,  while  the  horse  offered  no  resist- 
ance. In  about  ten  minutes,  he  declared  his  conviction 
that  the  horse  was  subdued  ;  and  he  then  unfastened  it, 
and,  to  the  great  and  evident  astonishment  of  all,  led 
it  quietly  away  with  a  loose  halter.  Stopping  in  the  mid- 
dle of  the  field,  with  no  one  else  near,  he  quietly  walked 
up  to  the  horse,  placed  his  arm  over  one  eye,  and  his 
hand  over  the  other,  and  breathed  in  the  nostrils.  It 
was  pleasing  to  observe  how  agreeable  this  operation 
appeared  to  the  horse,  who  put  up  his  nose  to  receive 
the  puff.  In  this  manner,  he  led  the  horse  through  all  the 
fields  to  the  stable  yard,  where  he  examined  the  fore  feet 
of  the  horse,  which  offered  no  resistance,  but  while  he 
was  examining  the  hind  feet,  bent  its  neck  round,  and 
kept  nosing  his  back.  He  next  buckled  on  a  surcingle, 
and  then  a  saddle,  and  finally  fitted  the  horse  with  a 
rope.  During  the  whole  of  these  operations,  the  horse 
did  not  offer  the  slightest  resistance,  nor  did  it  flinch  in 
the  least  degree. 

BREAKING    AND    TAMING   WILD   HORSES. 

The  following  mode  was  practised  by  Mr.  Jonathan 
Smith,  of  Virginia.  A  vicious  mare  was  given  him  to 
tame,  which,  it  was  said,  he  could  not  manage,  unless  he 
dealt  with  the  devil,  for  she  was  a  wild,  skittish  young 
thing,  high-tempered,  and  disposed  to  kick  and  bite. 

He  orcteicd  her  into  a  stable,  and  then  entered  and 
fastened  the  door.     Before  she  had  time  to  survey  him, 


Houses.  85 

is  giving  her  the  lash  smartly.  Around  she  went, 
kicking  and  jumping,  >*<>  rest  was  given  ;  the  sweat 
flowed,  and  she  slackened  in  her  movements.  When 
-he  approached  him,  he  slarked  his  Whip,  held  out  his 
and  said.  -'Come  along."  Again  she  was  off,  and 
sh  applied.  This  was  repeated  several  times  before 
she  would  advance,  and  when  she  moved  towards  him 
he  approached  and  patted  her,  and  as  he  moved  away, 
and  said.  "Come  along.*'  she  followed.  In  a  moment 
she  darted  off;  he  applied  the  lash  smartly.  She  stopped, 
trembled,  and  approached  him  ;  he  patted  her  neck,  and 
said,  "Come  along,"  and  she  followed  him  several  times 
round  the  stable.  When  she  lagged,  he  was  away,  and 
the  whip  applied.  After  that,  she  would  not  remain  two 
feet  from  him. 

He  ordered  the  door  opened,  and  the  mare  followed 
close  to  him  to  the  crowd  and  back  to  the  stable.  This 
shows  the  general  course,  but  not  all  the  acts,  in  the  tragi'- 
comedy.  It  required  about  half  an  hour ;  and  he  said 
that  it  would  not  need,  repeating  j  that  it  was  humane, 
As  it  prevented  further  contention. 

TO    TRAIN    A    SKY    CK    SKITTISH    ItOltSE. 

Never  strike  him  for  swerving,  as  this  will  increase 
his  fears;  but  gently  rub  him  in  the  face,  and  walk  by 
the  side  of  his  head  to  the  cause  of  alarm,  and  let  him 
examine  it;  then  go  back,  and  let  him  slowly  approach 
the  object  again ;  repeat,  if  necessary.  We  were  once 
training  a  high-spirited  and  skittish  colt,  and  he  stopped 
with  affright  at  a  lock  of  hay  in  the  road ;  we  gently 
led  him  to  the  frightful  object,  and  allowed  him  to  eat  it, 
to  show  him  his  folly. 

Notwithstanding  his  spirit  and  shyness,  we  trained 
him  to  stop  short  or  lie  still  at  the  -word  foha !  (long  a, 
that  he  might  distinguish  from  the  word  go!)  on  any 
emergency,  even  if  lying  uncomfortably  in  a  snow-bank; 
and  we  taught  him  to  stop  suddenly,  whenever  the  har- 
ness broke  or  halter  fell,  even  when  travelling  rapidly  on 
a  dark  night.     [See  Blind  Bridles.") 

Lead  a  horse  carefully  over  bridges,  till  his  shyness 
abates ;  but  if  he  continues  shy,  always  lead  him  over 


86  DISEASES   OF   A^V.rtALS. 

bridges  that  are  not  well  railed,  when  you  have  any  per- 
son in  a  carriage,  as  lives  have  been  lost  by  horses 
springing  suddenly  from  bridges,  and  plunging  into  the 
stream. 

TRAINING    TO    VARIOUS   PURPOSES. 

To  make  a  Horse  follow  you.  You  may  make  any 
horse  follow  you  in  ten  minutes ;  go  to  the  horse,  rub 
his  face,  jaw,  and  chin  ;  leading  him  about,  saying  to 
him,  "  come  along ;"  a  constant  tone  is  necessary ;  by 
taking  him  away  from  persons  and  horses,  repeat  rub- 
bing, leading,  and  stopping.  Sometimes  turn  him  round 
all  ways,  and  keep  his  attention  by  saying,  "  Come  along." 
With  some  horses,  it  is  important  to  whisper  to  them,  as 
it  hides  the  secret,  and  gentles  the  horse ;  you  may  use 
any  word  you  please,  but  be  constant  in  your  tone  of 
voice.     The  same  will  cause  all  horses  to  follow. 

How  to  manage  a  Kicking  Horse.  First  make  a  stall, 
or  pen,  for  your  horse,  in  which  he  cannot  turn  round, 
and  with  slats,  through  which  you  can  put  your  hand  tc 
rub  him  in  the  face,  and  all  over,  two  or  three  times,  — 
raising  his  tail  gently,  three  or  four  times ;  then  touch 
one  of  his  fore  legs,  and  say  to  him  "  foot,"  "  foot,"  until 
he  shows  a  willingness  to  raise  his  foot ;  raise  his  fool 
up.  and  put  it  down,  some  three  or  four  times  ;  then  go 
all  round,  until  fear  is  removed.  All  you  wish  a  horse 
to  do  ought  to  be  done  three  or  four  times,  repeated  two 
or  three  days  in  succession. 

To  train  a  Horse  to  the  Saddle.  You  may  begin 
by  showing  him  the  blanket,  rubbing  him  with  it,  and 
throwing  it  on  his  back;  in  a  short  time,  you  may  lay 
the  saddle  on,  and,  after  fondling  him  a  few  minutes, 
you  may  fasten  it,  and  ride  him  with  safety.  It  is  better 
for  one  person  to  stand  by  his  head  at  first,  and  keep 
him  quiet ;  and  then  to  lead  him  along  until  all  danger 
is  over.  If  he  is  dangerous,  you  may  exercise  him  for 
some  time,  by  leading  him.  and  leaving  him,  as  he  be- 
comes more  and  more  gentle  in  working.  You  can  then 
manage  him  with  more  safety.  It  is  better  to  work  a 
horse  to  make  him  very  gentle. 

To  train  a  Hosse  to  tub  Harness.    You  must  be 


HOESES.  S7 

very  gentle  with  hail.  You  may  commence  by  throw- 
ing a  rope  over  the  back,  and  letting  it  hung  loose  on 
both  sides;  then  lead  him  about,  caressing  him,  until  he 
becomes  satisfied  that  it  will  not  hurt  him ;  then  put 
on  the  harness,  and  pull  gently  on  the  traces  —  in  a  short 
by  this  kind  treatment,  he  will   be  prepared  for 

To  make  a  Horse  stand  while  you  mount.  Get  on 
and  dismount  four  or  five  times  before  you  move  him 
out  of  his  tracks  ;  and,  by  repeating  this,  any  horse  will 
stand  still. 

To  cuke  a  Biting  Horse.  Biting  is  a  bad  and  dan- 
gerous habit.  It  is  said  that  the  bite  of  a  horse  that  is 
not  mad  will  sometimes  produce  madness.  The  follow- 
ing is  regarded  as  an  effectual,  but  barbarous  remedy  ; 
but  it  is  to  cure  a  savage  habit.  A  horse  would  better 
burn  himself  than  bite  people  repeatedly.  Roast  or  bake 
a  piece  of  meat,  and  present  it  hot  as  he  attempts  to  bite. 
Be  cautious  lest  he  bite  a  piece  of  live  flesh  instead  of  hot 
meat. 

To  ACCUSTOM  A  HoRSE  TO  THE  USE  OF  A  GuN,  UMBRELLA, 

A:c.  Commence  by  showing  your  friendship,  by  rubbing 
the  horse's  face  with  your  hand ;  then  snap  and  explode 
percussion  caps  with  a  pistol ;  let  the  horse  frequently 
smell  the  powder  and  smoke ;  then  you  will  fire  small 
reports,  until  fear  is  removed;  then  overhead,  and  be- 
hind the  horse,  until  all  is  free.  If  you  have  a  very  wild 
horse,  place  him  in  a  stall,  so  as  to  have  him  safe ;  then 
fire  a  gun  all  around  him,  and  go  often  up  to  him.  speak 
to  him,  and  rub  him  in  the  face,  and  then  fire  the  gun 
again,  until  he  is  free  from  starting.  To  make  a  horse 
used  to  an  umbrella,  walk  before  him,  raising  it  up  and 
shutting  it  again  ;  let  him  smell  it,  and  rub  it  over  his 
head ;  then  get  on  him,  gently  raise  it,  and  ride  him 
ilong,  until  the  fear  is  over. 

To  teach  a  Horse  to  lie  down.  First,  with  some  soft 
handkerchief  or  cloth,  tie  up  one  fore  leg ;  then,  with  a 
stick,  tap  him  on  the  other,  and  say  "  kneel ;"  sometimes, 
ay  rubbing  him  on  the  head,  and  patting  him  on  the  leg, 
you  will  induce  him  to  lie  down.  It  appears  that  all 
horses  are  inclined  to  obey,  when  you  teach  them  that 
vou  will  not  hurt  them. 


S3  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

TO  PREVENT  A    HORSE  BREAKING  A    HALTER  OR  BRIDLE. 

First,  strong  halter  him  with  one  that  will  not  draw,  as 
that  often  makes  his  jaw  sore  ;  then  fasten  him  to  some- 
thing which  he  cannot  pull  loose,  and  let  him  pull ;  in- 
deed, make  him  pull  until  he  is  unwilling  to  pull  any 
more.  You  then  get  on  and  ride  him  a  mile  or  two,  anil 
tie  him  so  again,  and  let  him  stand  quiet.  To  prevent  a 
horse  breaking  a  bridle,  put  a  thin,  soft  pad  under  that 
part  that  passes  over  the  top  of  his  head,  with  little  sharp 
nails,  so  arranged  that  they  will  run  through  the  pad  and 
prick  him  when  he  pulls. 

To  prevent  Stumbling.  If  a  horse  stumbles  or  trips, 
it  is  a  common  practice  to  strike  him  for  it.  This  will 
not  mend  his  habits,  but  will  add  to  them,  if  he  has  spirit, 
that  of  springing  forward  with  dangerous  quickness 
whenever  it  occurs  —  as  he  will  expect  the  lash  to  follow. 
The  remedy  is,  to  keep  an  eye  upon  the  road,  and  where, 
from  stones  or  unevenness,  falling  is  apprehended,  tighten 
the  reins  and  enliven  the  horse,  but  never  strike  him  after 
the  accident. 

To  MANAGE  A  CONTRARY  RACE-HORSE.       If  he  Stops    or 

sulks,  go  to  him,  and  speak  kindly  to  him  ;  rub  hirn  down 
the  face,  using  the  bridle  no  more  than  you  can  help; 
turn  him  to  the  right  or  left,  until  he  starts,  as  he  will  be 
most  apt  to  start,  at  the  second  or  third  motion;  then 
continue  rubbing  him  in  the  face,  talking  to  him  as  in 
other  cases,  keeping  him  quiet  by  leading  him  about. 
Continue  to  rub  him  in  the  face,  and  use  the  same  tone 
of  voice. 

To  jvianage  a  Sullen  Horse.  If  a  horse  lies  down, 
and  will  not  get  up,  drive  a  stake  in  the  ground  and 
fasten  him  down  for  ten  or  twelve  hours;  then  loosen 
him,  work  him  for  about  an  hour,  -water  and  feed  hiin, 
and  he  will  "know  better  next  time."  Or  apply  your 
hands  to  the  nostrils  and  stop  his  breath,  and  he  will 
soon  start. 

To  stop  a  Headstrong  Horse.  Connected  with  the 
reins  have  a  covering  that,  by  a  spring,  may  be  suddenly 
thrown  over  his  eyes,  which  will  blind  and  stop  him. 
Or  have  extra  reins  extending  from  the  top  of  the  head- 
stall through  rings  on  the  hames,  near  the  top,  or  D's 


HORSES.  89 

in  the  saddie.  Put  a  narrow  or  round  strap  under  the 
throat,  and  fasten  to  these  reins,  on  each  side,  bringing 
the  reins  down  low.  On  drawing  these  reins,  the  strap 
will  choke  and  stop  the  horse. 

CARE   OF   A  HEATED   OR   WET   HORSE. 

"Wai.ki.vg.  When  a  horse  comes  to  the  stable  sweat- 
ing copiously,  he  must  not  stand  still,  especially  in  cool 
weather,  as  he  will  be  likely  to  take  cold,  inflamed  lungs, 
or  founder.  But,  by  gentle  motion,  he  will  gradually 
cool,  and  these  evils  will  be  avoided. 

If  a  horse  be  wet,  he  should  be  walked  until  dry ;  for, 
in  tliis  process,  the  evaporation  carries  off  a  great  deal 
of  heat  from  the  body,  and  produces  chill,  colds,  and 
diseases.  But  by  moderate  exercise,  the  heat  is  kept  up 
till  the  drying  is  completed. 

Wisping.  If  a  horse  be  wet  from  water,  or  perspira- 
tion, and  cannot  be  dried  by  moderate  exercise,  the 
water  should  first  be  scraped  out  of  his  coat,  and  the 
drying  completed  by  wisping ;  and  it  should  be  done 
immediately,  attending  first  to  the  belly  and  legs.  To 
do  this  well,  requires  skill  and  a  strong  arm. 

Clothing.  If  several  horses  need  drying  at  the  same 
time,  and  there  is  not  sufficient  help,  put  warm  clothing 
on  them  ;  but  if  possible,  scrape  them  first. 

DRESSING  VICIOUS   HORSES. 

Some  horses  seem  naturally  averse  to  the  operations 
of  the  groom.  But  many  are  rendered  vicious  by  the 
harshness,  timidity,  or  folly  of  the  keeper. 

Biting  may  be  prevented  by  tying  the  head  to  the 
rack,  or  ring  outside  the  stall,  or  by  putting  on  a  muz- 
zle. Some  horses  are  so  prone  to  biting,  that  it  is  dan- 
gerous to  pass  near  their  heads.  Some  biters  are  safe 
with  the  bridle  on,  and  the  bits  in  the  mouth.  Others 
behave  very  well  when  blindfolded.  But  some  are  so 
vicious  that  if  prevented  from  biting  by  restraining  the 
head,  they  will  beat  down  their  keepers  with  their  fore 
feet. 

8* 


90  DISEASES    OF    AMMALS. 

Kicking  is  a  worse  habit.  A  groom  of  courage  and 
authority,  sometimes  threatening,  and  now  and  then 
striking  with  a  switch,  will  generally  keep  a  kicking 
horse  in  subjection.  The  strap  is  a  good  remedy. 
Take  up  a  fore  leg,  and  bend  the  knee  till  the  foot 
almost  touches  the  elbow ;  then  apply  a  strap  over  the 
fore  arm  and  pastern ;  then  he  cannot  kick ;  or  the 
exceptions  are  few.  Change  the  legs  each  time.  They 
should  be  held  up  at  first.  Keep  out  of  the  reach  of  a 
kicking  horse,  or  so  near  him  that  an  attempt  to  kick 
will  be  only  a  push. 

UTILITY   OF  DRESSING  AND  FRICTION. 

It  improves  the  appearance,  and  renders  the  hair 
glossy  and  smooth.  When  the  coat  of  a  horse  is  in 
good  condition,  it  is  a  little  oily,  which  causes  it  to  shed 
the  water.  The  anointing  matter  is  secreted  by  the 
skin,  and  this  secretion  is  much  influenced  by  the 
grooming.  A  want,  or  redundancy,  of  perspiration 
injures  the  coat.  Hence  a  horse  that  is  often  and 
severely  heated,  needs  much  dressing  to  keep  him  in 
tolerable  plight. 

Grooming  has  an  important  effect  on  health,  as  well 
as  in  the  appearance.  A  healthy  state  of  the  skin  is 
very  conducive  to  a  healthy  condition  of  the  bowels  and 
lungs,  as  there  is  an  intimate  connection  between  them. 
It",  from  a  sudden  cold,  the  pores  of  the  skin  become 
closed,  insensible  perspiration  is  impeded  in  its  usual 
course,  and  the  system  becomes  diseased.  Hence  the 
importance  of  washing,  bathing,  and  rubbing  the  body 
of  the  human  subject,  and  of  currying,  brushing,  rub- 
bing,  and  occasionally  washing  animals  j  not  only 
horses,  but  all  others. 

SHOEING. 

A  smith  who  shod  for  the  hunt,  and  who  said  that  he 
should  have  to  shut  up  shop  if  a  shoe  was  lost,  as  it 
might  cause  the  loss  of  a  horse  worth  a  thousand  pounds, 
fastened  the  shoe  as  follows  :  —  As  he  drove  the  nails,  he 


HORSES.  91 

merely  bent  the  points  down  to  the  hoof,  without  twist- 
ing them  off,  as  the  usual  practice  is.  He  then  drove 
the  nails  home,  and  clenched  them.  He  then  twisted 
off  the  nails,  and  filed  them  lightly,  to  smooth  them ; 
thus  having,  as  he  remarked,  a  clench  and  rivet  to  hold 
the  nail.     [See  Diseases  of  the  Feet.] 

TO   SAVE   HORSES  FROM  FIRE. 

Horses  are  frequently  burnt  to  death,  when  barns  or 
stables  are  on  fire,  owing  to  the  impossibility  of  leading 
or  driving  them  out  of  the  building,  while  their  eyes  are 
dazzled  by  the  light.  But  we  are  assured  that  by  sim- 
ply covering  their  eyes  with  a  bag,  blanket,  coat,  or 
pocket  handkerchief,  they  may  be  led  out  of  danger 
without  trouble  or  difficulty.  It  is  said  that  by  throwing 
a  saddle,  or  anything  else,  on  the  back  of  a  horse,  in  such 
cases,  he  may  be  led  out. 

FOOD,  AND  ITS  PREPARATION. 

GREEN    HERBAGE. 

Green  herbage,  in  great  variety,  is  the  natural  food 
of  the  horse.  This  is  the  most  wholesome  :  for  on  this  he 
is  less  liable  to  disease  than  when  under  an  artificial 
course  of  feeding.  This  food  is  rather  laxative,  so  that 
it  keeps  the  bowels  in  good  condition ;  it  contains  suffi. 
cient  nutriment,  and  is  not  liable  to  produce  plethora 
nor  does  it  have  the  heating  and  constipating  effects  of 
grain  and  other  concentrated  food. 

Grasses  are  the  principal  food  of  horses  :  yet  they  eat 
of  almost  every  kind  if  herbage.  In  this  way,  they  are 
supplied  with  a  great  variety  of  food,  affording  all  the 
necessary  elements  of  nutrition.  The  principal  grasses 
cultivated  in  this  country,  are  herds-grass,  red-top,  and 
red  and  white  clover  ;  all  of  which  are  excellent.  There 
are  other  grasses  cultivated  to  less  extent,  and  many 
kinds  grow  spontaneously.  A  few  grasses  salivate  the 
horse.     [See  Salivation.] 

Indian  Corn.    Green  cornstalks  are  a  good  food  for 


92  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

horses  and  other  stock.  Some  have  worked  on  it  for 
months,  without  grain.  In  such  cases,  it  is  the  better 
for  having  age  and  substance.     [See  Food  for  Cattle.] 

Smal^  Grains  and  other  Plants.  The  small  grains, 
while  the  straw  is  green,  or  while  they  are  growing,  and 
fed  off  like  grass,  are  excellent  food  for  horses.  Millet,  in 
the  green  slate,  is  good  horse  feed.  Besides  the  things 
we  have  named,  there  are  hundreds  of  plants,  far  too 
numerous  to  mention,  indigenous  and  exotic,  cultivated 
and  spontaneous,  that  are  nutritious  and  palatable  food 
for  horses,  cattle  and  sheep. 

DRY    HERBAGE. 

Hay  is  the  principal  dry  fodder  used  in  this  country 
for  horses  and  other  stock  ;  and  although  a  few  varieties, 
such  as  herds-grass,  red-top  and  clover,  are  the  principal 
kinds  used,  yet  owing  to  soil,  their  growth,  the  time  of 
cutting,  the  weather  for  saving,  the  manner  of  curing, 
and  the  condition  in  which  they  are  saved,  there  is  a  vast 
difference  in  the  quality  of  hay.  AVhile  some  kinds  are 
worth  $20  per  ton,  others  are  not  worth  85,  and  some  lots 
are  fit  only  for  manure. 

Herds-grass,  (Timothy,)  with  a  little  red-top  and  clo- 
ver, makes  a  very  substantial  fodder  for  animals  that  are 
at  hard  labor ;  but  for  milch,  growing,  or  idle  animals, 
clover,  well  cured,  is  a  superior  article.  To  make  it 
without  wasting  the  leaves,  put  it  into  tumbles  when 
partially  dry.  This  will  cause  the  moisture  to  spread 
from  the  stalk  to  the  dry  portions ;  then  open  and  dry 
again.  If  not  well  made  when  got  in,  put  it  with  straw, 
old  hay,  or  coarse  vines  or  herbage,  in  alternate  layers. 
These  will  save  it.  and  become  sweet  by  contact. 

Quality  of  Hay.  Hay  is  of  various  qualities,  as  we 
have  named.  Some  is  cut  too  early,  and  is  flashy  and 
too  physical  for  laboring  animals.  Some  stands  too  long 
in  the  field,  and  becomes  lifeless.  It  sometimes  lodges, 
and  is  poor  when  cut.  In  bad  weather,  or  by  neglect,  it 
is  exposed  to  rains  or  dews,  and  much  injured.  The  hot 
sun,  after  it  is  pretty  well  made,  destroys  its  sweetness 
and  fine  fragrance.  Hay  is  often  put  into  the  barn  in 
too  green  or  damp  state,  and  mow-burns,  and  becomes 


HORSES.  93 

musty  and  poor.  Some  save  hay  by  much  salt ;  but  if 
more  salt  is  put  on  than  animals  would  eat  while  con- 
suming the  hay,  which  is  about  four  or  five  quans  to  the 
ton,  it  will  be  injurious.  This  would  give  a  horse  that 
eats  four  tons  a  year,  about  forty  or  fifty  pounds  of  salt, 
which  is  much  more  than  the  usual  allowance  of  an 
ounce  a  day,  or  eight  ounces  a  week.  Avoid  all  kinds 
of  bad  hay,  if  you  would  keep  your  animals  in  good  con- 
dition. 

S.-raw,  of  various  kinds,  is  used  as  food  for  stock.  It 
contains  some  nutriment,  and  when  animals  are  fed 
highly  on  grain,  straw  is  better  than  hay,  as  it  gives 
bulk  to  fill  the  stomach,  with  less  nutriment.  The  value 
of  straw  depends  much  on  the  time  it  is  harvested,  and 
the  manner  of  saving  It  is  much  better  for  being  cut 
in  a  machine. 

Corn  fodder  is  valuaoie,  being  very  nutritious  and 
palatable,  when  cut  in  season  and  well  cured.  A  good 
crop  will  afford  six  tons  of  dry  fodder  to  the  acre. 

Other  Plants.  As  we  have  said  of  green  herbage, 
there  are  hundreds  of  plants  that  afford  good  dry  fodder, 
when  cut  in  their  lender  state  and  well  saved.  Some, 
that  animals  will  not  eat  in  their  green  state,  are  quickly 
devoured  when  dry.  Horses  and  other  animals  will  eat 
poisonous  plants,  and  lobelia,  in  a  dry  state,  which  they 
avoid  when  green.     [See  Poisons.] 


Oats  are  used  more  extensively  for  horses  than  any 
grain.  They  are  an  excellent  food,  giving  strength  and 
spirit ;  and,  owing  io  the  hull,  they  afford  the  stimulus 
of  distention,  as  well  as  nutriment.  They  are  less  liable 
to  injure  houses  than  corn,  wheat  or  rye,  which  are  more 
solid,  or  concentrated  food.  There  is  a  vast  difference 
in  the  value  of  oats,  —  some  having  full  meat,  others 
being  mostly  hulls.  Some  weigh  twice  as  much  as 
others,  and  this  should  be  considered  in  purchasing  and 
feeding. 

Bad  oats  are  often  given  to  horses,  which  have  an  un- 
favorable effect,  producing  the  diabetes  and  other  dis- 
eases.    Sometimes  oats  are  injured  by  storms,  or  in 


91  DISEASES    OE    ANIMALS. 

Turing.  New  oats,  not  well  saved,  are  hard  to  digest, 
and  rather  purgative.  If  too  old,  they  become  musty, 
and  full  of  insects.     Some  contain  dirt,  dust,  earth,  &c. 

Preparati-m  and  Feeding.  Horses  prefer  oats  whole 
and  raw.  Grinding  is  not  generally  considered  profita- 
ble. Bruising  is  good,  but  it  is  much  labor.  Soaking 
is  good ;  even  wetting  is  beneficial  in  hot  weather. 
When  horses  are  travelling,  they  waste  oats  from  a 
trough,  and  they  lose  many  from  provender  baskets  by 
tossing  up  the  head.  Nose-hags  are  best,  with  a  good 
fit,  to  prevent  waste,  yet  allowing  room  for  the  jaws  to 
operate. 

Indian  Corn  is  use;!  to  a  great  extent  in  this  country 
for  horses ;  it  being  the  cheapest  grain  raised,  consid- 
ering the  nutriment  it  contains.  But.  owing  to  its  heat- 
ing properties,  and  the  large  amount  of  nutriment  in  a 
small  space,  it  should  not  be  given  alone,  excepting  in 
moderate  quantities.  Hence  the  advantage  of  grinding 
the  cob  with  the  corn,  to  add  to  the  bulk.  The  cob  con- 
tains some  nutriment,  also.  Meal,  or  cracked  corn,  is 
better  than  whole  corn.  If  a  horse  be  fed  on  whole  corn, 
fowls  will  live  well  on  th?  manure,  or  particles  of  undi- 
gested grain  that  are  voided.  Some  soak  corn  a  day  or 
two  before  feeding,  which  is  doubtless  an  advantage. 

Barley.  Some  regard  barley  as  valuable  as  oats, 
pound  \'<>r  pound.  Others  say  it  is  heating  and  laxative. 
Itsi axative  effects  soon  cease.  It  is  belter  for  boiling  or 
soaking :  or  grind  and  scatter  it  on  cut,  moistened  fodder. 
Feed  lightly  at  first. 

Wheat  is  hard  to  masticate  and  digest ;  therefore  it  is 
not  good  food  without  preparation.  Horses  are  very  fond 
of  it,  and  will  eat  it  to  excess.  It  is  said  to  be  poisonous 
in  large  quantities.  It  has  proved  fatal  in  several  cases. 
Wheat  bran,  pollard,  and  shorts,  are  valuable  for  mashes. 

Buckwheat  is  but  little  used  for  horse  feed.  In  some 
parts  of  Europe  it  is  used,  being  first  made  into  bread. 
Some  say  this  grain  is  too  laxative ;  others,  that  it  has 
stupefying  effects. 

Rye  is  but  little  used  as  food  for  stock.  We  have 
observed  that  it  is  laxative  ;  and  this  might  be  inferred 
from  its  peculiar  qualities.  A  good  preparation  would 
be  to  grind  it  and  strew  the  meal  on  fodder. 


HORSES.  95 


Potatoes,  both  raw  and  cooked,  are  a  good  food  for 
horses.  They  are  rather  laxative,  especially  raw.  In 
large  quantities,  raw,  they  are  apt  to  produce  colic  in 
horses  not  accustomed  to  thern.  They  are  in  some 
measure  a  substitute  for  grain,  in  horses  accustomed  to 
slow  work,  and  they  are  better  than  grain  to  keep  idle 
horses  in  an  healthy  state ;  but  for  horses  accustomed  to 
speed  and  violent  exertion,  this  food  is  not  sufficiently 
solid.  A  very  few  may  be  given  at  night,  or  a  moderate 
mess  on  Saturday  night,  when  the  horse  is  allowed  to 
rest  on  Sunday.     They  prevent  costiveness. 

Turnips  are  much  used  in  England  as  food  of  farm 
and  cart-horses.  Ruta-bagas  are  best.  The  white  are 
poor.  For  slow  workers,  turnips,  to  a  moderate  extent, 
supersede  grain  ;  but  for  fast  workers,  they  are  a  substi- 
tute for  hay.  They  are  better  cooked.  Turnips  produce 
a  good  skin,  and  a  smooth,  shining  coat.  It  is  best  to 
give  them  at  night. 

Carrots  are  probably  the  best  roots  for  horses.  When 
first  given  they  are  slightly  laxative  and  diuretic,  but  in  a 
short  time  these  effects  abate.  They  improve  the  condi- 
tion of  the  skin.  They  are  a  good  alterative  for  horses 
out  of  condition.  To  sick  and  idle  horses  they  render 
grain  unnecessary.  They  are  good  in  diseases  of  the 
skin  ;  and  they  are  very  useful  in  chronic  cough  and  hro- 
ken  wind.  They  are  excellent  in  restoring  a  worn-down 
horse.  Carrots  are  fed  raw.  They  should  be  washed 
and  sliced.  For  slow  working  horses  they  answer  in- 
stead of  grain.  One  bushel  of  oats  and  one  of  carrots 
are  considered  equal  to  two  bushels  of  oats.  Horses 
like  carrot-tops,  and  they  are  considered  wholesome. 

Parsnips  are  much  used  in  France  as  horse  feed.  In 
some  places  they  are  used  for  fattening  all  kinds  of 
stock.  It  is  said  that  they  injure  the  eyes  of  horses,  but 
this  is  not  well  established,  as  in  some  parts  they  are 
used  extensively,  without  this  effect.  Parsnips  are  used 
raw  and  boiled.  Their  leaves,  in  good  condition,  are 
eaten  as  readily  as  clover. 

Beets,  Artichokes,  Vegetable  Oysters,  and  other 
roots,  have  been  but  little  used  for  horses. 


96  DISEASES   OF    ANIMALS. 

Washing  Roots.  A  little  dirt  may  do  no  injury, 
especially  in  winter.  Some  think  it  is  beneficial.  Sheep 
are  doubtless  benefited  by  a  little.  The  dirt  has  a  laxa- 
tive effect ;  and  the  roots,  and  salt  Used  on  them,  have 
the  same  effect.  This  may  be  sufficient  without  dirt. 
The  dirt  may  wear  the  teeth  too  fast,  and  sometimes 
horses  loathe  it.  It  is  but  a  little  trouble  to  wash  them 
in  a  machine,  or  by  putting  them  into  a  basket,  and 
shaking  them  in  a  tub  of  water. 

VARIOUS    OTHER    FOOD. 

Beans  are  seldom  used  in  this  country.  In  England, 
they  are  much  used.  Old  beans  are  preferred,  as  new 
are  more  flatulent  and  harder  to  digest,  producing  colic 
and  founder.  Sometimes  they  are  mouldy,  and  insects 
may  eat  out  the  flour  and  vital  part.  Beans  are  very 
nutritious,  heating  and  constipating.  Therefore,  use 
them  sparingly.  Grind  them,  and  strew  the  meal  on 
fodder.     The  meal  is  good  for  diabetes. 

Peas  are  much  the  same  as  beans,  only  rather  harder 
to  digest.     The  meal  is  still  better  for  diabetes. 

Flax-seed,  in  small  quantities,  either  Whole  or  ground, 
raw  or  boiled,  is  sometimes  given  to  sick  horses.  It  is 
too  nutritious  for  a  fever,  or  any  condition  that  requires 
light  food.  But  it  is  excellent  for  a  cough ;  it  makes 
the  skin  loose,  and  the  coat  smooth  and  shining.  Half 
a  pint  may  be  mixed  with  the  food  every  night.  For  a 
cough,  it  should  be  boiled,  and  given  in  a  bran  mash, 
and  the  compound  will  be  improved  in  its  medical  qual- 
ities by  adding  a  little  coarse  sugar,  honey,  or  molasses. 

Oil  Cake,  ground,  which  is  called  oil  meal,  is  very 
good  in  boiled  food,  which  is  not  very  rich ;  or  it  may 
be  prepared  by  turning  on  water,  and  let  it  stand  awhile. 
In  this  state,  it  may  be  sprinkled  on  to  cut  feed,  or  any 
fodder.  Two  pounds  a  day  is  the  usual  allowance ;  it 
makes  the  hair  glossy,  and  the  skin  soft  and  pliant. 

Hemp-seed  is  supposed  to  be  invigorating  and  good  for 
the  wind.  It  is  given  to  stallions  in  the  travelling  sea- 
son     The  allowance  is  four  or  five  ounces  every  night. 

Eggs  and  New  Milk  are  given  to  stallions  in  the  sea- 
son they  are  much  used,  but  the  former  is  a  very  expen- 


1I011SE3,  9? 

sive  food.  In  Arabia  these  articles  are  considerably 
used  for  horses.  Milk  is  the  natural  food  of  the  colt,  for 
the  first  four  or  six  months. 

Bread  is  considerably  used  on  the  continent  of  Eu 
rope,  as  horse  feed.  It  is  made  from  various  kinds  of 
grain,  and  fermented.  It  is  nutritious  and  wholesome, 
and,  in  some  sections,  economical. 

Fruits,  of  various  kinds,  are  used,  such  as  apples, 
pumpkins,  sweet  potatoes,  chestnuts,  dates,  &c.  Some 
think  pumpkin-seeds  should  be  removed ;  lest,  from  their 
diuretic  quality,  they  produce  diabetes. 

Flesh  and  Fish  are  fed  to  horses  in  Iceland,  and  some 
parts  of  Norway. 

PREPARATION  OF  FOOD. 

Something  has  already  been  said  on  this  subject,  in 
regard  to  several  kinds  of  food  which  we  have  named 
[See,  also,  page  31.] 

Cutting  Fodder.  There  are  several  advantages  in 
cutting  fodder.  Different  kinds  may  be  mixed  together, 
and  all  consumed  without  waste,  the  unpalatable  with 
the  good.  When  a  horse  is  heated,  hungry,  and  thirsty, 
he  may  eat  moistened  food,  and  thus  quench  his  thirst, 
satisfy  his  hunger,  and  cool  gradually ;  when,  without 
this  preparation  of  food,  he  would  be  too  hot  to  drink, 
and  too  thirsty  to  eat  dry  fodder. 

By  this  preparation,  a  horse  has  time  to  eat  his  food, 
.md  lie  down,  and  rest,  instead  of  standing  all  night,  and 
-hewing  hard,  long,  dry  fodder.  This  is  important, 
7/hen  a  horse  has  been  on  his  legs  all  day. 

Cut  and  moistened  fodder  prevents  the  heaves,  and  it 
cures  this  disorder,  or  so  far  relieves  it,  that  animals 
which  have  been  thus  affected,  are  enabled  to  do  good 
service,  and  appear  to  be  cured.  The  superintendent  of 
a  stable  of  forty  horses,  informed  us,  that  during  many 
years'  experience,  and  his  horses  in  very  hard  sendee,  he 
never  had  one  affected  with  the  heaves  ;  and  several  that 
he  procured,  when  they  had  this  disorder,  in  some  cases 
severely,  were  cured  in  the  course  of  a  few  months,  and 
not  troubled  in  this  way  again  while  under  his  care. 
He  attributed  these  favorable  results  to  the  constant  use 
9 


98  DISfi    SES    OF    ANIMALS. 

of  moist  food.  Fodder  should  not  be  cut  very  short,  as 
some  animals  swallow  it  without  chewing  it  well.  In 
such  cases,  the  sharp  ends  of  fodder  have  cut  the  intes- 
tines so  as  to  produce  blood  in  the  dung.  From  one  and 
a  half  to  two  and  a  half  inches  is  short  enough.  Some 
cut  it  two  or  three  inches  long. 

Soaking  Fodder.  Some  soak  fodder  from  morning 
till  night,  and  the  reverse,  and  prefer  this  to  cutting. 
It  greatly  promotes  mastication  and  digestion.  In  this 
case,  it  would  be  well  to  have  stock  in  a  cellar  during 
winter. 

GENERAL    REMARKS    ON    FOOD    AND    FEEDING. 

When  great  labor  is  required,  feed  a  horse  on  dry  fod- 
der, cut  and  moistened,  and  grain  ground  or  cracked. 
This  is  the  best  practice  in  tins  country  and  Europe. 
When  horses  are  heated,  and  pressed  hard,  without  time 
to  rest,  give  them  meal  in  soft,  but  not  cold  water.  If  the 
horse  has  time  to  eat,  give  him  moistened  fodder.  Grain 
gives  the  horse  strength,  affording  much  nutriment  to 
support  the  wear  of  muscle  under  great  exertion.  But 
for  his  health,  he  should  occasionally  have  roots ;  or 
feed  these  in  very  small  quantities,  if  violent  exertion  is 
required;  and  to  slow  working  and  idle  horses,  feed 
them  constantly.  They  keep  the  animal  in  better  health 
than  grain ;  they  open  the  bowels,  cool  the  blood,  deter- 
mine the  secretions  to  the  surface,  render  the  skin  loose, 
and  the  hair  smooth  and  glossy ;  and  besides  the  advan- 
tage of  keeping  the  horse  in  good  condition,  roots  are  a 
cheaper  food  than  grain. 

The  food  of  a  horse  has  great  effect  on  diseases. 
Wounds  heal  more  kindly ;  inflammatory  diseases  are 
not  so  fatal,  or  are  more  easily  cured  ;  and  chronic  dis- 
orders frequently  abate,  or  entirely  disappear,  under  the 
use  of  grass  or  other  green  herbage.  But  on  such  food,, 
his  flesh  is  soft,  he  sM:eats  more,  and  is  sooner  exhausted. 
Such  food  is  not  suitable  for  horses  at  hard  labor ;  but  it 
will  answer  for  slow,  moderate  work. 

"When  harses  are  first  taken  from  grass,  they  should 
be  gradually  accustomed  to  a  dry  diet,  by  giving  them 
laxative  food,  such  as  roots,  mashes,  clover  hay,  &c.} 
with   their  other   fodder,   which  should  be    gradually 


HORSES.  99 

increased,  and  oats  or  other  grain  should  be  fed  lightly, 
at  first.  They  should  be  put  into  a  cool  stable,  and  have 
a  plenty  of  walking  exercise,  or  light  labor.  These  pre- 
cautions will  save  medicine  and  horses. 

As  horses  for  labor  are  to  be  kept  only  in  condition, 
not  fattened  for  slaughter,  they  should  always  hare 
moderate  exercise,  and  food  should  not  be  kept  con- 
stantly  before  them ;  but  there  should  be  intervals 
of  three  or  four  hours  between  each  meal,  that  they  may 
rest,  and  regain  their  appetites  ;  and  that  one  meal  may 
be  well  digested,  before  another  is  taken  into  the  stom- 
ach, to  over-tax  the  digestive  organs  with  a  double  task 
at  once.  Some  animals  have  no  discretion,  and  some 
keepers  of  stock  exercise  no  more  judgment,  but  keep 
horses  always  eating,  causing  a  burthen  of  fat  and 
disease,  in  horses  not  exercised. 

WATER. 

Pond,  river,  or  brook  water,  if  it  be  pure  and  sweet, 
agrees  well  with  horses.  Hard  water  is  said  to  be  im- 
proved by  throwing  in  chalk  or  clay,  and  exposing  it  in 
cisterns  to  the  open  air.  Sometimes  hard  water  at  first 
relaxes  the  bowels,  and  affects  the  skin,  causing  the  coat 
to  staer.  When  water  is  taken  from  cold  fountains,  in 
hot  weather,  it  should  stand  an  hour  or  two  before  used  ; 
or  add  warm  water  or  meal.  Cold  water  is  refreshing 
to  a  thirsty,  heated  horse ;  and,  if  allowed,  he  would 
drink  to  his  own  destruction.  After  he  has  stopped  two 
or  three  minutes,  to  recover  his  wind,  he  may  drink  a 
little  cold  water,  and  travel  on  immediately,  to  keep 
up  the  temperature  of  the  system.  In  winter,  guard 
against  extremely  cold  water,  by  ice  or  snow  in  it,  or  by 
exposure  to  the  freezing  atmosphere. 

CARE   OF   HORSES   IN   TRAVELLING. 

Take  particular  care  of  your  horse  at  every  stopping- 
place,  and  see  yourself  that  he  is  properly  treated. 
Sometimes  the  hay  at  taverns  is  poor;  «in  that  case, 
your  horse  must  have  more  grain.    If  you  feed  freely 


100  DISEASES   OF   ANIMALS. 

on  grain,  he  should  be  accustomed  to  it,  else  the  sudden 
change  may  prove  injurious.  Oats  are  not  so  solid  food 
as  Indian  corn,  of  course  less  liable  to  injure  the  horse. 

If  grain  be  given  mostly  at  night,  it  will  become  well 
digested,  and  nourish  and  strengthen  the  horse;  but  if 
fed  freely  just  before  starting,  the  horse  will  travel  with 
difficulty ;  the  digestion  will  not  be  complete,  and  the 
food  will  pass  oft' without  affording  proper  nourishment. 
Hard  driving  after  eating  is  more  injurious  than  eat- 
ing after  hard  driving. 

Many  persons,  on  starting  from  home,  or  on  the  road, 
will  stuff  their  horses  with  fodder,  and  then  with  grain, 
which  they  will  eat,  though  full  enough  before  ;  like  the 
thoughtless  child,  who  will  eat  a  piece  of  pie,  though 
already  pretty  full.  Hard  driving,  under  such  circum- 
stances, is  ruinous;  the  horse  should  go  moderately  till 
the  contents  of  the  stomach  are  reduced. 

When  travelling,  allow  the  horse  to  drink  often,  and 
but  little  at  a  lime,  especially  if  he  be  heated,  and  the 
water  cold ;  then  he  w  ill  not  wish  to  drink  to  excess ; 
and  when  he  stops,  let  him  cool  before  drinking.  Mean- 
while, he  may  eat  moist  food.  If  a  horse  grows  costive, 
give  him  some  mashes  of  scalded  bran,  or  a  mess  of 
potatoes  or  carrots,  at  night. 

After  travelling,  a  horse's  feet  should  be  picked,  and 
all  dirt  and  gravel  washed  out.  In  hot  weather,  wash- 
ing his  legs  is  proper,  but  they  should  always  be  well 
rubbed  and  dried,  afterwards.  In  cold  weather,  cold 
water  is  injurious  to  the  heels,  and  apt  to  bring  on  swell- 
ing, and  the  grease.  Washing  a  horse's  legs  and  feet 
La  brine  prevents  stiffness  in  the  joints,  and  it  makes 
the  hoofs  tough.  [For  further  directions  on  this  subject, 
see  Food,  Water,  Feeding  on  the  Road,  General  Man- 
agement, <Scc] 

FEEDING   OX  THE   ROAD. 

Many  persons,  in  travelling,  feed  their  horses  too 
much  and  too  often — continually  stuffing  them,  not 
allowing  them  time  to  rest  and  digest  their  food ;  of 
course    they   suffer    from   over-fulness,   and  carrying 


HORSES.  101 

unnecessary  weight.  Some  make  it  a  rule  to  bait  every 
ten  miles,  which  is  very  inconsistent,  as  in  some  cases, 
with  a  fleet  animal,  good  road,  favorable  weather  and 
load,  this  distance  may  be  travelled  in  one  third  the 
time  that  it  can  under  unfavorable  circumstances  as  to 
speed.  It  would  be  better  to  regulate  the  feeding  by 
time  rather  than  distance. 

Mr.  S.  B.  Buckley,  who  made  a  botanical  tour  among 
the  Cumberland  Mountains,  says,  in  the  Albany  Culti- 
vator, "  Four  young  men  came  in,  travellers  on  horse- 
back, who,  according  to  the  southern  custom,  ride  all 
day,  without  stopping  to  dine  or  feed  their  horses. 
Horses  will  do  well  and  keep  in  good  condition  under 
such  treatment,  as  I  can  testify  from  experience." 

Horses  should  be  well  fed  in  the  evening,  and  not 
stuffed  too  full  in  the  morning,  and  the  travelling  should 
be  moderate  on  starting,  with  a  horse  having  a  full 
stomach.  If  a  horse  starts  in  good  condition,  and  trav- 
els rather  quick,  he  can  go  twenty  or  twenty-five  miles 
without  baitiug ;  this  is  evident,  when  we  consider  the 
time  necessary  to  accomplish  this  space  with  tolerable 
speed ;  as  it  will  require  only  three  or  four  hours.  On 
the  contrary,  with  a  heavy  load  and  bad  road,  a  horse 
would  only  go  eight  or  ten  miles  in  that  time.  Why 
cannot  horses  travel  half  a  day.  or  four  hours,  without 
eating,  as  well  as  to  work  that  time  on  a  farm  ?  If  there 
be  more  exertion  on  the  road,  it  is  a  reason  against  fre- 
quent feeding  at  that  time. 

GENERAL   MANAGEMENT. 

We  make  a  few  remarks  on  subjects  not  considered 
elsewhere.  The  whip  or  spur  should  never  be  used,  for 
any  fault  but  dulness  and  obstinacy  ;  and  the  latter  can 
be  cured  better  by  gentleness.  With  kind  treatment, 
the  horse  is  generally  gentle  and  tractable. 

Washing  horses,  or  allowing  them  to  swim  immedi- 
ately after  hard  work,  or  when  heated,  produces  colds, 
fevers,  colics,  and  fatal  chronic  complaints.  Even  the 
partial  application  of  cold  water  to  the  legs,  head,  or 
back,  when  the  horse  is  heated,  should  be  avoided. 
S* 


102  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

When  horses  are  at  hard  service,  in  hot  weather,  before 
feeding,  cleanse  their  nostrils,  inside  and  out,  with  a 
sponge  or  rag,  wet  in  water  and  vinegar,  or  water  alone, 
if  vinegar  be  not  at  hand. 

Sometimes  a  horse  will  not  lie  down,  when  tied  up  in 
a  stable,  and  he  may  suffer  in  his  feet,  joints,  and  in  his 
whole  system,  by  standing  constantly.  As  a  remedy, 
put  him  untied  into  a  stall  or  pen,  with  a  good  bed  to 
tempt  him  to  rest  his  weary  limbs. 

If  you  would  improve  the  condition  of  a  horse,  and 
prepare  him  for  hard  service,  you  must  rvork  the  flesh 
on  to  him,  as  the  saying  is;  that  is,  give  him  moderate 
exercise  or  labor,  while  he  is  gaining  flesh ;  this  will 
prevent  the  accumulation  of  fat,  and  increase  the  mus- 
cular part  of  the  system  ;  it  will  give  good  health,  and 
solidity  and  firmness  to  the  flesh,  and  greatly  increase 
his  strength  and  power  of  endurance. 

In  different  stables,  the  quantity  of  salt  varies  from 
one  to  two  ounces  daily,  for  each  horse.  In  others,  none 
is  given  excepting  on  Saturday  night,  when  eight  ounces 
are  given  to  each.  This  prevents  any  evil  from  liberal 
feeding  while  at  rest  on  Sunday.  Better  give  a  small 
portion  in  food,  and  allow  the  horse  to  help  himself  to 
more  when  he  pleases. 

For  loss  of  appetite,  give  mashes,  a  few  roots,  and 
once  or  twice  a  week,  three  or  four  drachms  of  saltpetre, 
and  give  gentle  exercise.  A  little  Cayenne  pepper,  or 
hot  drops  may  be  good.  [See  page  49.]  We  have  revived 
a  horse's  appetite  by  feeding  on  sheep's  orts. 

Sometimes  a  cold  bit  freezes  to  the  tongue,  and  takes 
the  skin  off.  For  ulcers  in  the  mouth,  apply  a  tincture 
of  myrrh,  or  a  solution  of  alum.  For  bridle-sores  at  the 
corners  of  the  mouth,  touch  them  daily  with  salt  water  ; 
and  cover  the  bit  in  soft  leather,  unless  the  horse  is  at 
rest. 

STOMACH   AND  INTESTINES. 

Stomach.  There  is  a  strange  difference  between  the 
four  stomachs  of  the  ox,  and  one  of  them  so  large,  and 
the  one  small  stomach  of  the  horse — very  small  in  pro- 


HORSES.  103 

portion  to  his  size.  He  seems  admirably  calculated  for 
exertion,  speed,  and  strength,  on  every  emergency,  full 
or  fasting ;  yet  by  hard  driving,  after  over-fulness,  he 
is  very  liable  to  injury.  If  the  horse  had  a  large  stom- 
ach, it  would  render  him  clumsy  and  heavy,  when  full, 
and  it  would  press  heavily  on  the  lungs,  and  impede 
inspiration.  A  part  of  the  horse's  stomach,  like  the 
paunch  of  cattle,  is  insensible,  and  serves  as  a  reservoir 
for  food,  which  he  is  often  compelled  to  eat  fast,  and 
without  sufficient  chewing,  where  it  is  macerated  and 
prepared  for  digestion,  which  process  is  partially  per- 
formed in  the  other  parts,  and  then  the  food  passes  on 
to  the 

Intestines,  in  the  first  portion  of  which  digestion  is 
continued,  as  it  is  larger  than  in  other  animals,  and  is 
well  adapted  to  digestion,  by  a  thick,  villous  coat,  with 
numerous  folds,  like  a  second  stomach.  This  process  is 
continued  in  the  small  intestines,  and  is  not  perfected 
until  the  food  has  passed  the  larger  intestines ;  the  first 
of  which,  the  colon,  is  very  large  in  horses,  compared  with 
that  in  cattle ;  here  the  food  is  retained  awhile  among 
the  deep  cells,  and  further  digested.  It  then  enters  the 
ceeaim,  which  is  large,  and  adapted  to  digestion  by  its 
complicated  cells.  After  its  retention,  and  fcrther  diges- 
tion here,  it  passes  into  the  rectum,  or  last  in'r.stine,  and  is 
discharged,  a  part  still  remaining  undigesir.d  after  pass- 
ing through  this  long  and  complicated  apparatus. 

PHYSIC. 

Sometimes  it  is  necessary  to  physic  horses,  under 
treatment  for  diseases,  and  in  cases  of  a  ,hange  of  food 
to  that  which  is  more  astringent.  Whep  a  horse  comes 
from  grass  to  hard  food,  or  from  the  coo!,  ope  a  air  to  a 
heated  stable,  a  dose  or  two  of  physic  nv  y  be  necessary 
to  prevent  the  tendency  to  inflammation  continent  on 
sudden  changes.  A  dose  of  physic  is  oj  en  v  <-ful  to  a 
horse  that  is  becoming  too  fat,  or  has  surf  if,  {jrease, 
mange,  old  cough,  worms,  or  that  is  <  t  of  condition 
from  inactivity  of  the  digestive  organs.  But  the  peri- 
odical physicking  of  horses,  in  the  spri  ?  and  fall,  as 


104  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

practised  by  some  to  an  injurious  extent,  should  be 
avoided. 

It  is  best  to  prepare  a  horse  for  physic  by  giving  bran 
mashes,  until  the  dung  becomes  softened ;  then  a  less 
quantity  of  physic  will  suffice,  and  it  will  more  readily 
pass  through  the  intestines,  and  be  more  equally  diffused 
over  them.  Five  drachms  of  aloes  will  generally  be  suf- 
ficient when  a  horse  has  been  prepared  for  the  physic  ; 
it  is  equal  to  seven  drachms  when  the  intestines  are 
obstructed  by  hardened  feces. 

On  the  day  of  giving  the  physic,  the  horse  should  have 
walking  exercise,  or  may  be  trotted  grntly  for  a  quarter 
of  an  hour,  twice  in  the  day  ;  but  after  the  physic  begins 
to  work,  he  should  not  be  moved  from  his  stall.  Exer- 
cise then  would  produce  gripes,  irritation,  and  possibly 
dangerous  inflammation.  It  is  an  absurd  and  too  com- 
mon a  practice,  to  give  the  horse  the  most  exercise  after 
the  physic  has  begun  to  operate.  As  much  mash  may  be 
given  as  the  horse  will  eat,  and  as  much  water,  with  the 
coldness  taken  off,  as  he  will  drink.  If  he  refuses  warm 
water,  it  is  better  for  him  to  take  cold  water  than  to  con- 
tinue without  taking  any  fluid  ;  but  he  should  take  not 
more  than  a  quart  at  a  time,  with  intervals  of,  an  hour. 

When  the  purging  has  ceased,  a  mash  should  be  given 
once  or  twice  a  day,  if  another  dose  is  to  be  given,  which, 
should  be  a  week  from  the  first.  It  is  best  to  give  mod- 
erate doses,  as  in  some  cases  a  less  dose  is  required  than 
in  others,  ami  then  repeat  in  half  or  partial  doses,  at 
intervals  of  three,  four,  six  or  eight  hours,  according  to 
circumstances.  Be  cautious  and  not  carry  this  too  far, 
nor  give  too  large  doses,  lest  the  horse  become  swelled 
up  and  distressed  more  by  the  medicine  than  by  the 
disease. 

Very  powerful  doses  of  physic  cause  lowness  and 
weakness  to  hang  about  a  horse  for  many  days,  or  some 
weeks ;  and  inflammation  will  often  ensue  from  over- 
irritation  of  the  intestinal  canal.  Aloes  is  a  very  sure 
and  safe  purgative  for  a  horse,  and  is  used  more  exten- 
sively than  any  other  physic,  and  in  preference  to  any 
other.  The  Barhadoes  should  be  preferred.  The  dose 
for  a  horse  is  from  five  to  seven  drachms.    It  is  custom- 


HORSES.  105 

ary  to  give  it  in  the  form  of  a  ball ;  but  a  solution  of  aloes 
acts  more  speedily,  safely,  and  effectually. 

Linseed  oil  is  a  safe  but  uncertain  purgative ;  doses 
from  a  pound  to  a  pound  and  a  half.  Olive-oil  is  more 
uncertain,  but  safe.  Castor-oil,  a  mild  aperient  in  the 
human  being,  is  both  uncertain  and  unsafe.  Epsom 
salts  are  not  efficacious,  excepting  in  large  doses  of  a 
pound  and  a  half,  and  then  not  always  safe.  Rhubarb 
and  jalap  have  no  effect  as  a  purgative  on  the  horse.  A 
strong  decoction  of  thoroughwort  is  an  excellent  cathartic 
for  a  horse.  He  may  take  it  in  Indian  meal,  or  pour  it 
down  his  throat.     [See  Physic,  page  33.] 

DIURETICS. 

The  principal  diuretics  for  the  horse  are,  rosin,  salt- 
petre, turpentine,  and  potash  ;  the  milder  ones  are,  digi- 
talis, squills,  tobacco,  cream  of  tartar,  juniper,  &c. 
Digitalis  is  peculiarly  adapted  to  high  inflammatory  af- 
fections, to  be  used  either  with  or  without  saltpetre. 

Rosin  is  the  most  active  of  any  in  use,  and,  in  a  dose 
of  three  to  six  or  eight  drachms,  is  very  sure  in  its  oper- 
ation. Saltpetre,  in  like  doses,  is  sure,  but  not  quite  so 
active ;  it  is  much  preferred  in  inflammatory  diseases 
in  urinary  obstructions  from  the  gravel.  Turpentine  or 
potash  is  certain  ;  give  of  either  from  half  an  ounce  to 
an  ounce,  in  two  or  three  quarts  of  water,  fasting.  A 
dose  of  cream  of  tartar  is  four  to  six  ounces. 

In  giving  diuretics,  observe  the  same  precautions  as 
with  purgatives.  Keep  warm,  but  not  hot ;  avoid  over- 
exertion ;  but,  above  all,  allow  a  large  quantity  of  tepid 
water,  which  increases  the  effect,  and  renders  the  action 
less  hurtful.     [See  this  subject,  page  34.] 

BLEEDING. 

The  best  vein  for  bleeding  horses  is  that  in  the  neck, 
particularly  in  all  affections  of  the  head,  and  in  fever. 
Tie  the  horse's  head  up  for  several  hours  after.  In  af- 
fections of  the  shoulder,  or  of  the  fore  leg  or  foot,  bleed 
from  the  plate  vein,  which  comes  from  the  inside  of  the 


106  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

arm.  In  affections  of  the  foot,  it  may  be  taken  from  the 
coronet,  or  more-  safely  from  the  toe,  by  cutting  down 
with  a  fine  drawing-knife,  between  the  crust  and  the 
sole,  at  the  very  toe,  till  the  blood  flows,  and  making  it 
bleed  more  by  dipping  the  foot  into  warm  water.  The 
bleeding  may  be  stopped  with  the  greatest  ease,  by 
placing  a  bit  of  tow  in  the  little  groove  that  has  been  cut, 
and  tacking  the  shoe  over  it.     [See  page  37.] 

FEVER. 

To  judge  of  the  state  of  the  fever,  you  may  examine 
the  pulse,  which  you  will  find  by  pressing  the  fingers 
gently  on  the  temporal  artery,  about  an  inch  and  a  quar- 
ter back  from  the  upper  corner  of  the  eye ;  or  at  the 
lower  jaw,  by  pressing  the  artery  against  the  bone ;  or 
on  the  inside  of  the  fore  leg,  just  above  the  knee.  In 
health,  the  pulsations  are  from  thirty-six  to  forty  a  min- 
ute. When  they  reach  fifty  or  sixty,  fever  is  indicated  ; 
seventy,  seventy-five,  or  eighty,  indicates  a  high  fever. 
They  are  sometimes  one  hundred.  Or  put  your  hands 
to  the  nostrils  and  judge  by  the  heat  of  the  breath. 

Avoid  all  stimulating  food  or  medicine.  Bleeding  may 
be  necessary  in  the  beginning  of  the"  fever,  to  reduce  the 
force  of  circulation,  and  gentle  purging  to  remove  irritat- 
ing substances  from  the  bowels.  In  an  advanced  state 
of  the  disease,  when  the  heat  is  great,  and  the  dung  hard, 
clysters  may  be  necessary.  Feed  sparingly,  and  with 
light,  moist  and  easily  digested  food,  that  the  digestion 
may  not  be  oppressed ;  and  give  cool  drinks,  to  allay 
thirst,  such  as  clover  tea,  lukewarm,  with  a  quarter  of 
an  ounce  of  saltpetre  in  it,  morning  and  evening,  till  the 
fever  abates.  Allow  him  rest  ana  quiet,  and  prevent  all 
undue  excitement.  For  a  while,  sprinkle  warm  water 
on  his  fodder. 

Those  who  are  opposed  to  bleeding,  (and  gentle  means 
are  preferable,)  may  reduce  the  system  by  gentle  physic, 
light  and  spare  diet ;  and  diuretics  will  be  an  auxiliary, 
and  often  serve  as  a  substitute  for  bleeding ;  but,  like 
physic  and  other  unusual  operations,  they  should  be  used 
very  sparingly.    The  saltpetre  recommended  is  sufficient. 


HORSES.  107 

Bleeding  is  not  necessary,  as  there  is  no  increase  of 
blood  in  a  fever.  By  mild  means  the  animal  may  be  soon 
restored  to  health  and  strength,  but  if  bled,  he  recovers 
slowly.  At  first,  equalize  the  circulation,  by  rubbing  the 
extremities,  giving  light,  laxative  food,  as  bran  mashes, 
etc.,  and  soothing  teas,  such  as  raspberry,  clover,  sage- 
mint,  etc.  In  severe  cases,  in  addition,  throw  warm  rugs 
over  the  animal,  hanging  down  to  the  floor,  and  place 
undei  his  body  and  head  vessels  of  hot  water,  which  renew, 
or  put  in  hot  stones,  and  sweat  him.  Apply  cloths  from 
hot  water,  and  friction,  to  the  legs,  ears,  etc.  This  will 
relax  the  rigid  veins,  and  promote  a  general  circulation 
and  equilibrium  of  the  blood. 


SCOURS. 

Causes  are  various.  Sometimes  it  is  an  effort  of 
nature  to  throw  off  morbid  matter,  preventing  disease; 
therefore  do  not  check  it  suddenly,  but  give  dry  food  and 
it  may  abate. 

Remkpy.  If  violent,  give  raspberry,  camomile,  clover, 
sage,  or  other  soothing  teas,  and  if  these  do  not  begin  to 
check  it,  in  one  day,  give  light  dosesof  lime  water,  or 
baberry  tea,  or  other  astringent.  Scald  the  meal  ;;iven  as 
food,  and  give  clover  tea  for  drink.  Light  doses  of  hot 
drops,  or  Cayenne  pepper,  or  composition  are  good  to  re- 
lieve pain,  and  give  a  healthy  tone  to  the  stomach.  The 
teas  are  good  to  check  inflammation  of  the  bowels.  Strong 
coffee,  with  a  little  flour  and  some  eggs  beaten  up  in  it  is  a 
good  remedy.  If  the  disease  continues,  or  is  becoming 
chronic  dysentery,  give  once  in  a  day  or  two,  to  a  large 
animal,  three  or  four  lare  spoonfuls  of  finely  pulverized 
charcoal. 

HOVE. 

Not  common  in  the  horse,  give  a  pint  of  strong  saltwater, 
or  quarter  of  an  ounce  of  chloride  of  lime  in  a  quart 
of  water,  or  a  pint  of  gin  or  other  spirits. 


108 


I)I5EA3E3    0?    ANDIALS, 


DISTINCTION  BETWEEN  COLIC  AND  INFLAM- 
MATION. 

The  following  table  •will  enable  one  to  distinguish 
between  colic  or  gripes,  and  inflammation  of  the  bonds :  — 


Spasmodic,  or  Wind  Colic. 

1.  Pulse  natural,  though 
sometimes  a  little  lower. 
In  health,  the  pulsations  are 
thirty-six  to  forty  per  min- 
ute ;  being  rather  slower  in 
large,  heavy,  and  in  old 
horses,  than  in  young  ones. 
Exercise,  animation,  or 
fright,  increases  the  pulse. 

2.  The  horse  lies  down, 
and  rolls  upon  his  back. 

3.  The  legs  and  ears 
generally  warm. 

4.  Attacks  are  very  sud- 
den, and  are  never  preceded, 
and  seldom  accompanied  by 
any  symptoms  of  fever. 

5.  There  are  frequently 
short  intermissions. 


Inflammation  of  the  Borcth. 

1.  Pulse  very  quick  and 
small.  Fever  often  in- 
creases the  pulsations  to- 
double  the  healthy  number. 
In  violent  fever,  attended 
with  inflammation  of  the 
bowels,  the  strokes  some 
times  rise  to  one  hundred  ? 
minute,  or  more. 

2.  He  lies  down,  and 
suddenly  rises  up  again. 
seldom  rolling  upon  his  back. 

3.  The  legs  and  ears 
generally  cold. 

4.  Attacks  are  generally 
gradual,  and  are  commonly 
preceded,  and  always  ac- 
companied, by  symptoms  of 
lever. 

5.  No  intermissions  can 
be  observed. 


COLIC. 

Causes  are  numerous.  The  principal  are  an  over- 
loaded stomach,  particularly  when  water  is  given  imme- 
diately before  or  immediately  after  a  large  allowance  of 
food ;  violent  exertion  on  a  full  stomach ;  a  sudden? 
change  of  diet,  particularly  from  hay  to  grass,  and  the 
reverse ;  the  change  to  grass  is  still  worse  if  the  feed  be 
-'ery  luxuriant,  and  the  evil  of  a  change  from  grass  to 
\ay,  (which  produces  constipation,)  is  aggravated  by 


HORSES.  109 

feeding  provender  freely,  particularly  Indian  corn,  if  the 
animal  has  not  been  accustomed  to  it.  We  have  known 
severe  cases  of  colic  by  a  change  from  grass  to  hay  and 
corn. 

Sometimes  a  change  from  oats  to  barley  will  produce 
colic  ;  and  so  will  a  large  allowance  of  any  food  to  which 
the  horse  has  not  been  accustomed,  as  raw  potatoes,  car- 
rots, turnips,  or  other  green  food,  which  produces  fer- 
mentation. If  a  horse  swallows  his  food  hastily,  without 
mastication,  he  is  liable  to  colic.  Feeding  too  often,  that 
is,  filling  the  stomach  with  one  meal  before  the  previous 
one  is  digested,  and  the  contrary  extreme  of  long  fasting, 
and  then  full  and  rapid  feeding,  is  apt  to  produce  colic. 
Cold  water,  in  excess,  is  sometimes  a  cause. 

Symptoms.  The  horse  is  taken  suddenly  ill,  and 
slackens  his  pace,  and  sometimes  attempts  to  lie  down. 
Again,  he  falls  down  suddenly,  and  rolls,  and  perhaps 
starts  up  suddenly.  If  in  the  stable,  he  paws  with  his 
fore  feet ;  and,  if  the  pain  be  severe,  he  is  in  constant 
motion,  and  strikes  his  belly  with  his  hind  ones.  He 
lies  down  and  rolls  ;  in  moments  of  comparative  ease,  he 
looks  wistfully  at  his  flanks.  When  standing,  he  makes 
fruitless  attempts  to  urinate,  and  the  keeper  thinks  there 
is  "  something  wrong  with  his  water."  In  a  little  while. 
the  belly  swells,  perhaps  mostly  in  the  right  flank.  In 
severe  cases,  the  swelling  is  usually  general.  As  the 
disease  increases,  the  pain  becomes  intense  ;  he  dashes 
about  with  terrible  violence ;  the  perspiration  runs  in 
streams,  and  his  contortions  are  frightful.  [See  other 
symptoms,  in  the  last  article.] 

Remedy.  The  fermentation  should  be  stopped,  and 
the  digestive  powers  reestablished.  A  good  old-fash- 
ioned medicine  is  whiskey  and  pepper,  or  gin  and  pep- 
per. About  a  gill  and  a  half  of  spirits  to  a  tea-spoonful 
of  pepper,  given  in  a  quart  of  milk,  or  warm  water.  If 
the  pain  does  not  abate  in  thirty  minutes,  repeat  the 
dose ;  and  again  in  an  hour,  if  necessary.  Rub  the 
horse's  belly  with  a  soft  wisp,  and  walk  him  about 
gently.     Give  the  medicine  as  early  as  possible. 

A  Better  Remedy  should  be  prepared  thus  :  —  Take 
a  quart  of  good  brandy ;  add  four  ounces  sweet  spirits 
10 


110  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

of  nitre,  three  ounces  whole  ginger,  and  three  ounces 
of  cloves.  In  eight  days  it  will  be  ready  for  use.  'The 
dose  is  not  named.  This  quantity  would  he  enough  foi 
five  or  six  strong  doses,  or  eight  or  ten  moderate  doses. 

Another.  An  ounce  of  laudanum,  given  in  a  little 
water,  has  invariably  succeeded  with  some  who  have 
tried  it  many  times.  Laudanum  is  a  powerful  anti-irri- 
tant, and  a  diffusive  stimulant.  There  is  no  danger  in 
giving  this  medicine  at  the  commencement  of  the  disease  ; 
but  if  a  fever  and  inflammation  have  set  in,  it  would  be 
improper.  This  condition  of  the  system  would  require 
bleeding,  purging,  and  clystering,  and  frequently  the 
npplication  of  cold  water  to  the  surface,  immediately 
followed  by  rubbing,  wisping  dry,  and  warm  covering. 

Another.  As  soon  as  the  animal  is  attacked,  make 
a  strong  soot  tea,  and  add  half  a  pint  of  whiskey,  new 
rum,  or  other  spirit,  and  pour  it  down. 

Another.  Take  a  handful  of  the  white  part  of  hen- 
dung,  and  simmer  it  a  few  minutes  in  a  quart  of  human 
urine ;  strain,  and  drench  the  horse  with  it,  and  if  not 
effectual,  repeat  the  dose  in  half  an  hour. 

Another.  Give  a  quart  of  common  salt  and  water, 
as  strong  as  it  can  be  made. 

Another.    Give  half  a  pint  or  a  pint  of  linseed  oil. 

Anothee.    Half  a  pint  of  hot  drops  is  excellent. 

Another.  Put  a  pint  of  hot  wood-ashes  and  embers 
into  two  quarts  of  cold  water,  and  stir.  Cut  off  an  inch 
and  a  half  of  hand  tobacco,  and  shred  it  into  the  mix- 
ture. Stir  all  up;  let  it  set  fifteen  minutes  and  settle ; 
then  pour  off  a  common  junk  bottle  full,  and  drench 
your  horse.  It  is  called  a  speedy  cure.  A  writer  in  the 
Southern  Planter  says  that  he  has  seen  this  given  in 
one  hundred  cases,  without  a  single  failure,  and  that  it 
would  not  injure  a  well  horse. 

Piemarks.  Sometimes  there  is  an  introsusception,  or 
falling  of  one  part  of  the  bowels  into  another ;  or  a 
doubling  of  the  intestines,  so  as  to  completely  stop  the 
passage .  In  such  cases,  it  may  be  impossible  to  afford  any 
relief;  and  doses  of  physic  and  other  medicine  which  pro 
duce  fermentation,  may  only  aggravate  the  difficulties 
Back-rake,  and  give  a  powerful  exciting  injection,  which 


HORSES.  Ill 

may  open  the  bowels ;  and  give  alkaline  medicines, 
such  as  chloride  of  lime  or  ammonia,  to  absorb  the  gases 
and  reduce  the  swelling. 

In  all  severe  cases  of  colic,  back-rake,  and  give  excit- 
ing injections.  [See  page  46.]  These  aid  physic,  ami 
all  other  remedies,  and  frequently  give  immediate  relief, 
alone.  They  are  sure,  and  they  generally  obviate  the 
danger  that  often  attends  giving  powerful  doses  of 
physic,  when  the  bowels  are  constipated. 

INFLAMMATION   OF   THE    STOMACH   AND 
INTESTINES. 

When  either  the  stomach  or  intestines  are  inflamed, 
the  other  part  is  generally  soon  affected  from  continuity. 

Causes.  Much  the  same  as  those  that  produce  fever ; 
such  as  sudden  check  by  cold,  to  the  external  parts, 
while  the  bowels  are  under  excitement,  from  over-action, 
hard  labor,  fatigue,  excessive  heat,  the  operation  of  cor- 
dials, ifcc.  Also,  long  rests  in  currents  of  air ;  driving 
into  cold  water  when  covered  with  perspiration;  and 
neglect  of  the  necessary  evacuations.  It  is  often  brought 
on  by  costiveness. 

Symptoms.  [See  them  contrasted  with  those  of  colic, 
page  108.] 

Remedy.  Bleeding  is  often  practised,  but  it  is  not 
absolutely  necessary.  Give  gentle  physic,  with  soothing 
herb  tea.  If  there  be  severe  costiveness,  back-rake,  and 
give  injections,  such  as  recommended  on  page  46,  for 
inflamed  bowels.  Exciting  medicines  and  injections 
should  be  carefully  avoided,  as  they  aggravate  the 
disease. 

After  an  operation  on  the  bowels,  give  sedative  and 
astringent  teas.  Raspberry  tea  combines  both  of  these 
qualities,  and  has  been  used  for  horses  with  excellent 
success.  Give  light  and  larative  food.  Give  green 
herbage,  if  in  the  season ;  if  not,  give  a  little  clover 
hay,  and  pure  straw,  mashes,  potatoes,  dfcc.  Curry  well, 
and  rub  thoroughly,  to  promote  a  general  circulation, 
and  invite  the  blood  outwardly. 


112  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


BOTS. 


The  horse-fly,  or  bot-fly,  (Oestrus  equi,)  appears  in 
July,  and  continues  till  cool  nights  in  the  fall ;  she  lays 
her  egg  on  those  parts  of  the  horse  liable  to  be  licked  by 
his  tongue,  on  which  he  takes  the  eggs,  and  they  soon 
find  their  way  to  the  stomach,  where  they  are  hatched  ; 
or  they  hatch  on  the  horse,  and  may  be  passed  into  the 
stomach. 

The  young  bots  adhere  to  the  stomach  by  little  hooks, 
and  are  nourished  by  the  mucus  of  the  stomach,  or  the 
food  it  contains,  until  the  next  spring,  or  first  of  the 
summer,  when,  having  attained  full  size  in  the  larvae 
state,  they  drop  their  hold,  and  are  carried  along  with 
the  contents  of  the  stomach,  and  voided.  They  then 
burrow  in  the  ground,  and  remain  a  few  weeks  in  the 
chrysalis  state,  when  they  undergo  a  more  important 
transformation,  and  become  flies,  or  perfect  insects, 
pursuing  the  course  of  their  predecessors. 

This  is  the  course  that  nature  has  provided  for  their 
propagation ;  and  some  persons  contend  that  bots  never 
injure  a  horse,  but  are  beneficial.  Others  contend  that 
they  never  injure  a  healthy  horse  ;  but  when  a  horse  is 
diseased,  they  are  deprived  of  their  usual  food,  and  then 
they  may  seize  upon  the  stomach,  with  a  view  of  clear- 
ing out  for  better  quarters. 

Bots  have  sometimes  collected  in  large  numbers,  and 
stopped  up  the  passages  to  and  from  the  stomach,  and 
have  thus  occasioned  death. 

Numerous  remedies  have  been  recommended  for  the 
destruction  of  bots,  which  are  said  to  be  sure  ;  and  yet 
it  is  contended  that  any  medicine  sufficiently  powerful 
to  kill  them  would  kill  the  horse  also ;  for  bots  have 
lived  in  rum,  twenty-five  hours ;  in  a  decoction  of 
tobacco,  eleven  hours ;  in  strong  elixir  or  vitriol,  two 
hours;  in  spirits  of  turpentine,  forty-five  minutes;  in 
fish  oil,  linseed  oil,  and  brine,  ten  hours,  without  any 
effect.     More  powerful  substances  would  kill  the  horse. 

Yet  certain  medicines  may  disgust  and  nauseate  the 
bots,  and  others  may  be  palatable,  and  serve  to  quiet 


HORSES.  113 

them ;  or  this  vexatious  creature  may  gulp  down  luxu- 
rious food,  and  become  so  extended  as  to  allow  medi- 
cines to  act  upon  him  more  powerfully,  or  he  may 
become  drowsy  with  satiety,  or  dormant,  or  drunk,  and. 
like  bipeds  thus  situated,  know  not  what  he  is  about, 
and  let  go  his  hold,  and  be  carried  off  by  a  powerful 
cathartic. 

Many  a  horse  that  has  had  the  colic,  inflammation  of 
the  bowels,  obstinate  constipation,  or  other  disease,  has 
been  doctored  for  the  bots,  and  sometimes  killed  by  im- 
proper treatment,  or  by  numerous  and  powerful  closes ; 
when  he  might  have  been  cured,  with  good  manage- 
ment, or  nature  would  have  done  the  work  if  he  had 
been  let  alone.  In  one  case,  boiling  water  was  poured 
down  a  horse's  throat,  to  destroy  the  bots,  and  it  was 
effectual ;  but  it  was  similar  to  the  case  of  poor  Pat  Mur- 
phy, who  was  sentenced  to  be  hanged,  and  saved  his  life 
by  dying  in  prison.  Again,  a  medicine  may  cure  the 
colic,  or  the  horse  may  recover  in  spite  of  the  medicine, 
and  then  that  medicine  is  recommended  as  infallible  ibr 
bots. 

As  the  symptoms  of  the  bots  and  colic  are  similar,  and 
one  may  be  mistaken  for  the  other,  it  may  be  well  to 
give  a  medicine  that  is  good  for  both.  Be  cautious 
about  giving  powerful  doses  in  uncertain  cases.  Some- 
times horses  are  supposed  to  have  the  bots  when  consti- 
pation of  the  bowels  is  the  trouble. 

Symptoms.  Sometimes  old  horses  that  are  hard 
worked  exhibit  no  symptoms  until  a  short  time  before  a 
severe  attack,  or  death.  In  young  horses,  the  symptoms 
are  more  evident.  In  general,  the  horse  loses  flesh,  eats 
sparingly,  coughs,  bites  his  flanks,  strikes  forcibly  on  the 
ground  with  his  fore  feet,  and  at  his  belly  with  his  hind 
ones  ;  shows  symptoms  of  uneasiness,  such  as  groaning, 
and  looking  back  on  his  sides,  lying  down,  &c.  His 
belly  projecting  and  hard.  In  violent  cases,  without 
remedy,  these  symptoms  increase,  and  a  discharge  from 
the  nose  commonly  takes  place,  and  at  length  stiffness 
of  the  legs  and  neck,  staggering,  laborious  breathing, 
spasms,  and  death. 

Preventives.  Make  as  few  sudden  changes  in  food 
10* 


114  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

as  possible.  Be  careful  to  keep  the  horse  in  a  healthy 
state.  Keep  him  well  supplied  with  salt.  Occasionally 
mix  with  the  salt  five  parts  of  wood  ashes,  or  give  ashes 
in  his  water.  Give  occasionally  a  table  spoonful  of  lime 
with  his  food.  Give  him,  once  a  week,  a  tittle  sage  with 
his  fodder. 

The  eggs  or  nits  may  be  scraped  off  the  horse  with  a 
icnife.  By  applying  a  warm,  moist  rag  to  them,  they 
(rill  soon  hatch  and  be  destroyed,  if  the  horse  be  kept 
from  taking  them  on  his  tongue.  Apply  grease  or  oil  to 
the  eggs,  and  it  will  destroy  them  ;  and  it  is  said  it  will 
prevent  the  fly  depositing  any  more ;  bin  to  effect  this, 
it  should  be  repeated  frequently. 

Feed  the  horse  occasionally  with  the  heads  of  rye ; 
this  cuts  out  and  carries  off  the  grabs.  If  more  conve- 
nient, the  rye  may  be  fed  in  the  sheaf.  J.  L.  Smith, 
Esq.,  an  extensive  dealer  in  horses,  at  the  south,  recom- 
mends this  very  highly.  Tobacco  leaves,  cut  fine,  or 
coarse  horse-hair,  mixed  with  a  horse's  provender,  will 
prevent  the  bots  and  worms  collecting  in  the  maw.  and 
will  often  kill  them.  But  as  hair  is  indigestible,  it 
should  be  avoided.  A  farmer  of  much  experience  says 
that  he  never  knew  a  horse  to  be  troubled  with  bots  that 
was  fed  with  a  few  raw  potatoes  every  week.  For 
other  preventives,  use  some  of  the  mild  remedies  recom- 
mended. 

MR.  SCOTl's   VIEWS. 

In  the  Indiana  Farmer,  S.  J.  Scott  makes  the  follow- 
ing observations :  — 

1.  Wild  horses,  in  a  state  of  nature,  never  die  of  bots. 

2.  Domestic  horses  that  run  at  large  never  die  of 
bots. 

3.  Horses  whose  food  is  not  changed,  or  stintei,  and 
who  are  not  over-heated,  never  die  of  bots. 

4.  The  bot  worm  does  not  eat  through  the  stomach, 
but  is  invariably  found  attached  to  the  stomach  of  the 
horse,  by  its  tail,  and  goes  through  tail  foremost. 

5.  Bots  are  most  apt  to  hurt  a  horse  in  the  spring  and 
fall,  or  soon  after  changing  the  food  from  dry  to  green, 
and  the  reverse. 


HORSES.  115 

His  Theory.  The  bot  worm  eats  of  the  the  food  the 
horse  eats,  and  has  its  preference ;  and  when  deprived 
of  its  choice  food,  or  stinted  in  quantity,  it  pierces  the 
horse's  stomach  with  the  horns  in  its  tail,  by  which  it  also 
adheres  to  its  position,  and  continues  to  bore  deeper,  and 
rinally  gets  through.  The  gases  and  juices  of  the  stom- 
ach escape  into  the  abdomen  through  the  holes  made  by 
the  bots,  which  soon  destroys  the  horse. 

The  worm  is  necessary  for  the  health  of  the  horse,  by 
piercing  (not  through)  the  coats  of  the  stomach,  and 
exciting  the  appetite  by  irritation.  But  error  of  food 
induces  it  to  irritate  too  long,  and  pierce  through  the 
stomach. 

Sometimes  bots  collect  in  such  numbers  within  the 
lower  orifice  of  the  oesophagus,  or  swallow,  as  to  choke 
the  horse,  and  he  dies  suddenly. 


Mr.  Scott  offers  the  following  preventives  and  reme- 
dies, some  of  which  are  already  suggested :  — 

1.  Never  change  the  horse's  food  from  green  to  dry, 
suddenly  and  perseveringly. 

2.  Never  change  from  dry  to  green,  unless  you  can 
keep  him  to  the  green  food  a  length  of  time. 

3.  Observe  the  same  rule  in  changing  from  corn  to 
oats,  and  the  reverse. 

4.  If  the  horse  is  seized  with  bots,  either  drench  him 
with  something  the  worm  will  not  eat.  and  that  will 
nauseate  it,  such  as  sweetened  milk,  blood,  fresh  meat, 
entrails  of  fowls,  &c,  or  drench  him  with  something 
that  will  satisfy  the  cravings  of  hunger  in  the  bots,  such 
as  green  moss  of  old  logs,  or  a  decoction  of  moss,  green 
blue  grass,  &c. 

5.  Or,  which  should  be  first  tried; — if  the  horse, 
when  found  sick,  does  not  refuse  to  eat,  turn  him  into  a 
lot  ol  green  blue  grass,  or  if  in  the  winter,  into  a  wood 
where  different  kinds  of  moss  grow,  and  the  horse  will 
soon  make  a  selection  that  will  quiet  the  bots. 


116  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


OTHER    REMEDIES. 

Put  eight  ounces  each,  of  bees-wax,  mutton  tallow, 
and  sugar,  into  a  quart  of  new  milk,  and  warm  it  till  all 
is  melted ;  then  put  it  into  a  bottle,  and  give  it  just  before 
the  wax  begins  to  harden.  Two  hours  after,  give  physic, 
and  the  bots  will  come  away,  with  wax  sticking  to  them. 

Another.  Give  a  table  spoonful  of  slacked  lime,  in  a 
bran  mash  or  other  food,  three  times  a  week.  In  cases 
evidently  severe,  give  a  dose  every  day,  for  several  days. 
A  writer  in  the  American  Farmer  says  that  he  consulted 
authorities,  and  tried  various  experiments,  in  vain ;  and 
after  giving  lime  in  bran  mashes,  three  times  a  week, 
for  two  weeks,  the  bots  began  to  pass  off.  He  has  since 
used  lime,  and  has  not  lost  a  horse  with  bots.  Voided 
bots  die  in  lime 

Another.  Vinegar,  soft  soap,  gin,  molasses,  half  a 
gill  each,  poured  down  while  foaming.  A  correspondent 
of  the  Albany  Cultivator,  says  this  is  a  speedy  cure,  and 
he  has  given  it  in  fifty  cases,  with  good  effect. 

Another.     Two  ounces  of  soot  in  a  quart  of  milk. 

Another.  Dr.  Phillips,  of  Mississippi,  recommends, 
in  cases  where  a  horse  is  supposed  to  have  the  bots,  when 
in  reality  it  may  be  colic  or  other  disorder,  to  give  sage 
or  soot  tea,  or  an  ounce  of  laudanum :  the  first  two  may 
be  given  freely,  but  the  last  should  not  be  given  oftener 
than  every  six  hours. 

Another.  Give  the  horse  a  few  sheaves  of  barley, 
and  it  will  clear  every  hot  out  of  him ;  so  says  a  writer 
in  the  "  Western  Farmer  and  Gardener,''  who  says  he 
never  knew  it  to  fail. 

Another.  One  quart  of  new  milk,  sweetened  with 
honey,  molasses  or  sugar,  given  fasting ;  and  in  two 
hours  drench  with  a  pint  of  brine,  as  strong  as  hot  water 
will  dissolve  common  salt.  Two  hours  after,  give  a  pint 
of  linseed  oil. 

Another.  Half  a  pint  of  train  oil,  (sperm  or  other 
fish  oil  will  answer,  but  not  so  good,)  given  to  a  horse, 
will  usually  give  immediate  relief. 

Another.  One  quart  of  new  milk  and  one  pound  of 
sugar ;  mix,  warm,  and  give.    Prepare  the  same  again, 


HORSES.  117 

and  add  half  a  pint  of  ground  mustard-seed,  and  admin- 
ister. 

Another.  Sweeten  one  quart  of  milk  with  honey  or 
molasses,  and  give  it ;  then  powder  half  an  ounce  of 
aloes,  and  give  it  directly  in  a  strong  decoction  of  savine 
Doughs  ;  if  the  worms  have  not  eaten  through  the  intes- 
tines, this  is  sure. 

Another.  Take  half  a  gill  of  spirits  of  turpentine, 
turn  it  into  the  hand,  and  rub  it  on  the  breast. 

INDIGESTION,   OR   STOMACH  STAGGERS. 

Causes.  Over-distention  of  the  stomach.  The  horse 
may  get  loose  and  eat  to  excess  of  grain,  beans,  peas, 
&c. ;  or  he  may  work  longer  than  usual,  and  then  eat 
too  freely  after  fasting ;  he  may  eat  a  meal  before  the 
previous  one  is  digested,  and  thus  overtask  the  digestive 
powers.  There  are  other  causes,  and  sometimes  it  is 
difficult  to  account  for. 

Symptoms.  Staggering,  sleepiness,  unconsciousness, 
hard  breathing,  staring  eye,  apparent  insensibility  and 
helplessness.  Sometimes  this  drowsiness  abates,  and 
violence,  as  in  inflammation  of  the  brain,  succeeds,  only 
not  to  so  great  an  extent. 

Remedy.  Give  injections  ;  give  oil  for  physic ;  and 
feed  moderately  on  light  food  that  will  keep  the  bowels 
open. 

YELLOWS,   OR  JAUNDICE 

This  disease  is  similar  to  jaundice  in  men.  Bile  is 
secreted  in  the  liver,  and  passes  by  a  duct  into  the  intes- 
tines, and  it  is  highly  important  to  digestion  and  a  healthy 
state  of  the  bowels.  Sometimes,  from  inflammation  or 
other  disease  in  the  liver,  or  obstructions  in  the  gall-duct, 
or  from  thickened  bile,  this  fluid  is  interrupted  in  it? 
natural  passage  into  the  intestines,  and  is  thrown  back 
into  the  circulation,  giving  a  yellow  tinge  to  the  whole 
system.  The  horse  and  deer,  unlike  all  other  animals, 
have  no  gall-bladder,  but  the  bile  passes  directly  from 
the  liver,  through  the  gall-duct,  to  the  intestines. 


118  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

Causes.  It  is  sometimes  caused  by  low  condition,  but 
more  frequently  by  high  feeding  and  want  of  exercise. 
Inaction  is  a  fruitful  cause  of  this  disease,  both  in  ani- 
mals and  the  human  race. 

Symptoms.  Yellowness  of  the  eyes,  mouth  and  tongue, 
higher  yellow  color  of  the  urine,  palpitation  of  the  heart, 
weariness  in  the  limbs,  dulness,  stupidity,  sleepiness, 
drooping  of  the  head,  general  debility  ;  the  hair  of  the 
mane  and  tail  becomes  loose ;  the  dung  scanty  and  pale, 
generally  hard,  and  sometimes  covered  with  slime. 

General  Treatment.  In  all  cases  see  that  the  bowels 
are  in  good  condition ;  this  may  be  effected  by  giving 
laxative  food,  such  as  bran  mashes  and  roots ;  and  if 
there  be  costiveness,  this  feed  for  two  or  three  days  will 
prepare  the  bowels  for  physic,  a  moderate  dose  of  which 
should  be  given  ;  and  if  the  bowels  be  not  relaxed  a  little 
by  the  mashes,  back-rake,  and  give  exciting  injections 
before  giving  physic. 

It  would  be  well  to  back-rake  as  soon  as  the  disease  is 
discovered,  if  there  is  much  costiveness.  Continue  light, 
laxative  and  green  food.  In  very  severe  cases,  that  will 
not  yield  to  medicines,  roweling  may  be  resorted  to. 
Most  cases  may  be  cured  by  diet,  (and  physic,  if  the 
bowels  do  not  become  relaxed  by  the  food,)  and  some  of 
the  following  medicines.  Bleeding  should  be  avoided, 
as  the  pulse  is  generally  slow  and  weak. 

Remedy.  One  fourth  of  an  ounce  of  gamboge,  half  an 
ounce  of  saltpetre,  one  ounce  of  alum,  one  ounce  of  green 
copperas,  (sulphate  of  iron)  —  pulverize  all,  and  put  them 
into  a  bottle  with  a  pint  of  cold  water.  Stop  tight,  shake 
well,  and  let  it  stand  over  night,  and  it  will  be  fit  for  use. 
Give  a  table  spoonful  for  a  dose,  three  mornings  run- 
ning ;  then  omit  three,  and  so  on  until  nine  doses  have 
been  given. 

Another.  Take  equal  quantities  of  aloes,  Venetian 
soap,  and  honey  ;  make  into  pills,  and  give  half  an  ounce 
daily,  for  a  week.  If  this  does  not  cure,  steep  celandine 
and  saffron  in  cider,  and  give  a  quart  a  day. 

In  the  human  subject,  raw  eggs  have  cured  in  obsti- 
nate cases. 

From  our  youth  up  we  have  known  the  following  as  a 


HORSES.  119 

sovereign  family  medicine,  in  jaundice.  It  may  be  used 
by  patients  in  a  very  weak,  low  state,  and  with  a  cough, 
without  injury,  when  powerful  astringents  would  not  be 
safe.  It  restores  to  action  the  digestive  powers,  corrects 
the  derangement  in  the  biliary  organs,  relieves  when 
food  injures,  or  prevents  the  injury,  restores  the  appe- 
tite, and  regulates  and  does  not  bind  the  bowels,  like 
most  astringents.  AVe  have  no  doubt  that  it  is  valuable 
for  animals,  in  the  same  complaint.     Prepare  it  thus  : 

Take  the  bark  of  white  ash  ;  if  from  old  trees,  take  off 
the  ross  to  the  live  part.  If  green,  partially  dry  a  part 
of  it :  sweep  the  oven,  and  kindle  the  bark  in  it,  using 
the  dry  part ;  then  lay  on  the  green ;  burn  in  a  slow 
draught ;  throw  in  the  ends  and  raise  up  the  bottom,  and 
it  will  all  burn  to  pure  white  ashes.  Put  two  heaping 
table  spoonfuls  into  a  bottle  of  very  good,  strong  old  cider, 
and  shake  it  a  i'ev:  times.  A  common  wine-glass  full  is 
a  dose  for  the  human  patient,  to  be  taken  three  times  a 
day,  before  eating.  Give  an  animal  a  pint  for  a  dose, 
sprinkled  on  fodder,  or  mixed  with  oats,  bran,  or  meal, 
or  turn  it  down  the  throat.  A  larger  dose  may  be  neces- 
sary.    A  quart  would  not  injure. 

We  regard  this  as  one  of  the  safest  medicines  in  all 
conditions  of  the  system,  and  one  of  the  most  efficacious. 
We  have  known  it  to  cure  in  almost  hopeless  cases,  when, 
from  the  severity  of  the  disorder,  it  was  thought  that 
consumption  was  connected  with  it.  White  ash  is  the 
variety  used  so  extensively  as  timber  for  carriages,  han- 
dles for  hoes,  shovels,  forks,  rakes,  and  many  other  pur- 
poses. 

GLANDERS. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  formidable  and  disagreeable 
of  diseases.  It  commences  in  an  irritation  in  the  mem- 
brane of  the  nose ;  as  it  advances,  tubercles  form,  matter 
is  discharged,  the  bones  of  the  nose  and  head  become 
diseased  and  carious,  and  the  poison  is  absorbed  into 
the  circulation,  and  affects  the  whole  system. 

This  disease  may  be  produced,  as  it  often  is,  by  bad 
stable  management,  such  as  hot,  filthy  and  ill-ventilated 


120  DISEASES    OF   ANIMALS. 

stables ;  or  it  may  be  communicated  by  infection,  con- 
tagion, or  inoculation,  which  last  form  includes  conta- 
gion. In  some  few  cases,  nature  will  cure,  if  the  cause 
of  the  disease  be  removed.  But  almost  all  cases  of 
confirmed  glanders  will  prove  fatal  in  spite  of  care  and 
medicine.  If  taken  in  season,  some  cases  may  be  cured. 
Almost  every  drug  and  medicine  has  been  used  for  this 
disease,  and  generally  without  success ;  a  few  cases  have 
been  cured  by  a  decoction  of  tobacco.  It  is  of  the  high- 
est importance  to  guard  against  its  production  or  propa 
gation. 

Dr.  Burgis  says  :  "  I  have  known  several  instances  in 
which  there  was  no  possibility  of  contact  with  glander- 
ous matter,  and  yet  the  disease  was  developed  in  healthy 
horses.  A  gentleman  of  fortune  in  the  west  of  Ireland 
had  had  his  stud  infected  with  glanders  ;  every  particle 
of  wood-work  in  the  stables,  including  stalls,  rack,  man- 
ger, &c,  was  taken  down  and  replaced  with  new  mate- 
rials ;  the  plastering  on  the  walls  was  completely  re- 
moved, and  the  pavement  ripped  up ;  and  all  was  replaced 
with  entirely  new  work ;  but  the  first  horses  that  were 
again  put  into  those  stables  became  infected,  and  they 
were  ultimately  razed  to  the  ground.  It  would  even 
appear  that  the  contagious  principle  remains  for  a  long 
period  in  any  stable  where  glanders  may  happen." 

GLANDERS    IN   MEN. 

A  number  of  cases  have  occurred  of  glanders  in  men. 
from  inoculation,  by  getting  some  of  the  glanderous  mat- 
ter from  the  horse  on  some  part  of  the  body  where  the 
skin  was  broken ;  and  some  cases  of  glanders  in  men 
have  occurred  without  inoculation,  but  by  infection.  In 
Paris,  a  groom  slept  in  a  stable  occupied  by  a  glandered 
horse ;  some  days  after  the  death  of  the  horse,  he  was 
attacked  with  the  same  disease,  characterized  by  pustular 
and  gangrenous  sores  over  the  whole  body.  He  died, 
and  with  some  matter  from  the  sores,  a  foundered  mare 
was  inoculated,  and  she  had  a  true  case  of  the  glanders, 
of  which  she  died. 

A  young  groom  was  in  the  habit  of  wiping  the  face  of 
a  glandered  horse  with  his  pocket  handkerchief;  he 


llottses.  121 

"aught  the  disease,  of  which  be  died  in  dreadful  agony, 
every  bone  in  his  head  becoming  carious.  In  severe 
cases,  there  is  no  cure  for  man  or  horse.  We  have  an 
account  of  one  case  being  cured  in  man,  by  filling  the 
Is  With  lint  or  cotton,  steeped  in  turpentine. 

In  managing  glandered  horses,  great  care  should  be 
taken  to  prevent  the  infectious  matter  coming  in  con- 
tact -.villi  the  membraneous  linings  of  the  mouth  or  nose. 

It  was  stated  in  an  English  paper,  in  1844,  that  since 
the  year  1838,  no  less  than  thirty  persons  had  sunk  lin- 
ger "this  terrible  malady,  which  counted  as  many  victims 
as  patients. 

Scarcely  a  year  passes  without  an  account  in  Euro* 
pean  journals  of  some  person  dying  of  glanders.  A  stu- 
dent lately  died  in  Paris  of  glanders,  contracted  by  cutting 
himself  while  dissecting  a  glandered  horse  at  the  cele- 
brated veterinary  school  of  Alfort.  He  had  the  best 
medical  aid  from  the  beginning  of  the  sad  occurrence. 

HORSE-AIL. 

This  disease  occasionally  prevails  extensively  among 
horses.  It  is  often  very  severe,  and  unless  properly  at- 
tended to  in  season,  it  gradually  reduces  the  horse  to  a 
skeleton,  and  often  proves  fatal.  Badly  managed  cases 
sometimes  cause  the  glanders ;  otherwise  the  glanders  is 
not  common  in  this  part  of  the  country.  It  prevails  most 
in  the  cold  season,  generally  commencing  in  the  fall. 
Horse-ail  is  infectious,  and  very  liable  to  occur  without 
infection,  as  it  is  common  to  young  horses,  which  do  not 
go  from  home,  or  come  in  contact  with  others  that  are 
infected.    The  English  call  this  disease  strangles. 

Symptoms.  Stoppage  of  the  head,  running  at  the  nose, 
swallowing  in  the  throat,  loss  of  appetite,  dulness  about 
the  eyes,  general  stupidity,  and  sudden  debility.  The 
symptoms  are  similar  to  those  of  a  cold,  or  the  influenza 
in  the  human  race.  It  often  causes  a  tumor  under  the 
jaw. 

Remedy.  E.  Wood,  Esq.,  an  intelligent  correspon- 
dent of  the  "  Maine  Farmer,"  recommends  the  following 
treatment :  Take  up  a  piece  of  skin  on  the  breast,  and 
11 


122  DISEASES   OF   ANIMALS. 

cut  crossways  through  the  skin,  so  as  to  make  a  hole 
sufficient  to  get  in  the  forefinger,  which  put  in  and  skin 
downwaMs  and  crossways  the  length  of  the  finger. 
Fill  the  bag  thus  made  with  cut  raw  onion.  Then  bleed, 
if  the  cough  is  hard  and  distressing ;  and  feed  with  pota- 
toes, if  the  animal  can  eat  them ;  if  not,  give  gentle  laxa- 
tives. Under  this  treatment,  he  has  never  lost  a  horse 
or  colt,  and  they  have  seldom  lost  much  flesh. 

Another.  We  have  treated  horses  in  the  following 
manner,  with  success :  Make  a  slow  fire  of  old  boots, 
shoes,  rags,  herbs,  roots,  &c.  When  fired  a  little, 
smother  them  so  as  to  make  much  smoke  and  steam ; 
then  set  a  barrel,  without  heads,  over  the  fire,  and  hold 
the  horse's  head  down  in  the  barrel,  and  smoke  him 
well.  This  will  soon  produce  a  copious  running  at  the 
nose,  and  he  will  be  so  well  pleased  that  he  will  volun- 
tarily hold  his  head  in  the  smoke.  Continue  this  half  an 
hour  or  more  daily.  Meanwhile,  give  him  potatoes  and 
warm  bran  mashes,  and  gentle  physic,  if  there  be  much 
costiveness  which  the  laxative  food  will  not  remove.  If 
he  has  much  fever,  treat  him  for  that. 

Further  Treatment.  In  addition  to  other  remedies, 
if  the  case  be  severe  and  the  blood  has  become  bad,  put 
a  rowrel  in  the  breast ;  and  if  the  swelling  under  the 
throat  tends  to  suppuration,  encourage  it  by  applying 
emollient  poultices,  or  blistering  ointment,  and  foment- 
ing baths  ;  and  when  the  swelling  becomes  soft,  and  the 
matter  fluctuating,  lance  it.  Blow  snuff  up  the  nostrils. 
Keep  warm ;  give  warm,  soothing  drinks ;  curry  and 
rub  frequently.  Give  a  little  walking  exercise  in  pleas- 
ant weather,  if  the  animal  has  strength  to  bear  it  with- 
out fatigue.  If  there  be  much  fever  or  cough,  treat  as 
recommended  in  these  disorders.  Keep  the  head  run- 
ning and  the  bowels  loose ;  and  if  the  heat  and  fever 
abate,  and  the  animal  is  poor,  give  tolerably  nourishing 
food,  continuing  roots  or  mashes  to  keep  the  bowels  in  a 
good  state. 


HORSES.  123 


DISTEMPER,   OR   EPIDEMIC   CATARRH. 

Symptoms.  This  disease  usually  commences  with  a 
shivering  fit,  hot  mouth,  heaving  of  the  flanks,  and 
cough.  There  is  a  discharge  from  the  nose,  first  watry, 
then  thicker,  and  then  offensive  matter.  The  glands  of 
the  throat  swell,  weakness  succeeds,  the  legs  swell,  and 
there  are  swellings  on  the  body,  but  these  are  favorable. 

Remedy.  Sweat  well,  and  rub  till  quite  dry;  oack- 
rake ;  give  two  drachms  of  Barbadoes  aloes,  and  in 
twelve  hours  another  drachm.  If  the  constipation  be 
obstinate,  give  exciting  injections.  Clothe  warmly,  par- 
ticularly about  the  head.  If  the  animal  will  not  eat,  on 
account  of  sore  throat,  clyster ;  hot  meshes  should  be 
put  under  his  nose,  in  a  nose-bag,  to  encourage  the  run- 
ning. Feed  with  corn  meal,  bran  or  mashes,  and  damp- 
ened hay.  Potatoes  are  good.  If  he  refuses  to  eat, 
drench  with  very  thin  mash  or  thick  gruel. 

This  disease  is  similar  to  the  horse-ail,  or  a  modifi- 
cation of  the  same  disease,  and  the  treatment  is  similar. 
The  steaming  and  smoking  recommended  in  that  disease 
would  be  good  to  clear  out  the  head.  Camphorated 
spirits,  with  the  addition  of  cayenne  pepper,  is  good  for 
the  throat,  rubbed  on  externally ;  so  is  the  liniment  on 
page  51. 

COLD,   OR   COMMON  CATARRH. 

The  Causes  of  this  disease  are  numerous  and  the  ef- 
fects are  various,  as  different  parts  are  affected,  and  an 
affection  of  the  same  part  varies  at  different  periods. 
Sometimes  the  head  is  principally  affected ;  at  other 
times  the  eyes  share  largely  in  the  complaint ;  again  it 
may  be  mostly  in  the  nasal  orifices,  producing  a  copious 
discharge  of  mucus ;  at  times  it  is  mostly  in  the  mouth  ; 
again  in  the  throat ;  and  sometimes  in  the  back  and 
limbs,  producing  stiffness  and  soreness  In  many  cases, 
this  disease  is  similar  to  horse-ail. 

It  arises  from  the  same  causes  as  bronchitis,  pleurisy, 
and  pneumonia,  as  named  on  other  pages.     It  is  most 


124  DISEASES   OF   ACTUALS. 

common  in  the  spring  and  fall,  not  only  from  the  changes 
of  weather  at  these  seasons,  but  from  the  great  change 
the  horse  undergoes  from  moulting  or  shedding  his  coat, 
which  produces  fever,  debility,  sweating  on  the  least  ex- 
ertion, and  susceptibility  to  colds  and  other  kindred  dis- 
eases. 

Colds  are  often  produced  by  sudden  changes  in  the 
temperature  of  the  atmosphere,  without  proper  protec- 
tion. Sometimes  they  are  caused  by  a  peculiar  state  of 
the  atmosphere,  and  then  they  become  epidemical,  and 
often  very  extensive  and  severe. 

The  Sy.mftoms  are  numerous  and  various,  according 
to  the  nature  and  severity  of  the  disease,  and  the  part 
that  is  affected.  Sometimes  there  is  moderate  fever ; 
sometimes  the  inflammation  is  high  ;  at  other  times  the 
pulse  is  slow  and  weak.  The  eyes  are  sometimes  much 
affected,  and  are  red,  dull,  running  and  weak,  and  occa- 
sionally much  inflamed.  The  head  is  often  affected  in- 
ternally, and  there  is  a  copious  discharge  from  the  nose. 
Sometimes  the  mouth  is  inflamed  and  sore,  so  that  the 
animal  cannot  chew  without  great  difficulty.  The  throat 
often  shares  largely  in  the  evil,  and  is  so  inflamed  that 
swallowing  is  very  difficult.  Sometimes  there  is  shiver- 
ing, the  mouth  hot,  the  coat  staring,  the  belly  tucked  up, 
the  nose  red,  the  flanks  heave.  These  are  the  most 
prominent  symptoms.  Some  exist  in  one  case,  others  in 
another. 

Remedies.  These  are  various,  as  there  are  different 
degrees  of  severity  in  the  disease,  or  it  varies  in  its  pecu- 
liar nature,  and  different  parts  of  the  system  are  affected, 
or  all  share  in  its  influence.  The  best  remedy  is  good 
management  in  avoiding  causes,  and  predisposing 
causes,  and  placing  the  patient  under  favorable  circum- 
stances for  recovery.  In  many  cases  medicines  will  not 
avail  much,  as  the  disease  will  run  its  course  in  spite  of 
them,  and  nature  may  work  a  cure  in  time.  When  there 
is  high  fever,  treat  the  horse  for  that  affection.  If  there 
be  costiveness,  remove  it,  using  mild  means,  if  sufficient, 
and  powerful  ones  if  necessary.  While  the  fever  con- 
tinues, feed  lightly,  and  with  laxative  food.  But  if  the 
animal  is  in  a  low  condition,  and  there  is  no  fever,  give 
nourishing  food;  keep  warm,  and  apply  remedies  foj 


HORSES.  125 

the  local  affections.  If  the  head  is  affected,  promote  the 
discharge,  as  in  horse-ail.  For  inflammation  of  the  eyes, 
or  cough,  treat  as  in  those  diseases.  For  sore  mouth,  use 
a  wash  of  alum-water,  or  a  strong  astringent  tea ;  for 
sore  throat,  treat  as  in  distemper. 

COUGH. 

In  all  disorders  accompanied  by  a  cough,  the  true 
cause  should  be  ascertained.  Sometimes  the  cough  is 
only  a  consequence  of  a  chronic  or  seated  disease,  as  is 
the  case  in  heaves,  &c.  At  other  times  it  is  symp- 
tomatic of  recent  inflammation  in  the  throat  or  lungs 
Sometimes  it  is  brought  on  by  horse-ail,  which  is  an 
inflammation  of  the  mucous  membranes  of  the  head  and 
glands  about  the  throat.  We  have  found  salt,  given 
freely,  together  with  an  occasional  dose  of  saltpetre,  to 
be  an  excellent  remedy  in  cases  where  a  horse  has  had 
the  horse-ail,  and  the  cough  holds  on  after  the  original 
disease  seems  to  have  gone.  For  a  dry,  husky  cough, 
not  attended  with  the  heaves,  green  or  laxative  food, 
such  as  roots,  or  mashes  of  scalded  bran,  in  which  is  put 
the  pulverized  root  of  elecampane  and  lovage,  has  been 
found  beneficial.  If  there  should  be  found  indications 
of  heaves,  put  a  spoonful  of  ginger,  once  per  day,  in  his 
provender,  and  allow  him  to  drink  freely  of  lime  water. 
Horses  that  are  kept  on  musty  hay,  will  very  soon  begin 
to  cough.  The  best  remedy  for  musty  hay  cough  is,  to 
change  the  diet  to  good,  sweet  clover.  —  Maine  Farmer. 

Another  Remedy.  Human  urine  put  into  a  a  bucket 
of  water,  and  given  to  the  horse,  or  sprinkled  on  his  fod- 
der. This  remedy  has  been  much  used  by  some,  and 
with  excellent  success. 

Another.  The  boughs  of  the  cedar  have  been  used 
as  a  remedy,  with  complete  success.  They  should  be 
cut  fine,  and  mixed  with  the  grain  given  to  the  horse. 

Another.  Arse-smart,  as  dry  fodder,  has  often  been 
given  to  horses  for  cough,  with  good  success.  A  dose 
of  this  fodder  occasionally,  in  the  winter,  is  good  for  the 
health  of  the  horse  ;  and  it  should  be  saved  for  that  pur 
pose. 

11* 


126  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

Asother.  We  once  cured  a  horse  of  an  obstinate 
*.ough,  on  which  a  number  of  medicines  were  tried  with- 
out effect,  by  feeding  him  exclusively  on  sheep's  orts. 
They  have  peculiar  medicinal  properties,  which  they 
imbibe  from  the  dung  and  urine.  [See  Calves  among 
Sheep,  under  the  head  "  Neat  Cattle/'] 

Another.  Boil  a  small  quantity  of  flax-seed;  mix  it 
.n  a  mash  of  scalded  bran,  adding  a  few  ounces  of  coarse 
sugar,  or  some  molasses  or  honey. 

BRONCHITIS. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  air  passages  in  the 
lungs,  and  it  often  extends  to  the  windpipe  and  throat. 
It  is  produced  in  the  same  way  as  a  common  cold,  and 
is  often  the  extension  of  inflammation  from  the  throat 
downward.  It  is  sometimes  slight,  and  soon  disappears  ; 
at  other  times,  though  it  may  come  on  gradually,  or 
almost  imperceptibly,  it  becomes  obstinate  and  danger- 
ous, as  it  may  extend  to  the  lungs,  and  affect  them  also. 
Therefore  it  deserves  early  attention.  The  causes  are 
the  same  as  those  of  influenza,  pleurisy,  inflammation  of 
the  lungs,  and  colds. 

Symptoms.  Cough,  loss  of  appetite,  a  discharge  from 
the  nostrils,  quickening  of  the  pulse  and  breathing. 
These  are  the  early  indications  of  this  disease.  The 
pulse  soon  becomes  very  quick  and  weak,  the  respiration 
accelerated,  the  membrane  of  the  nose  and  eyelids  of  a 
deep  red  color,  and  the  discharge  from  the  nose  dimin- 
ished or  suspended.  When  these  last  symptoms  are 
exhibited,  it  frequently  proves  fatal. 

But  it  generally  appears  in  a  milder  form,  with  only 
the  symptoms  first  named.  It  is  distinguished  from 
common  catarrh  by  the  quickness  of  the  pulse,  ranging 
from  forty-five  to  sixty  pulsations  in  a  minute,  and  the 
disturbance  in  the  breathing.  It  may  be  known  from 
inflammation  of  the  lungs,  by  warmth  at  the  surface 
and  extremities,  and  the  more  moderate  action  of  the 
pulse.  Sometimes  it  is  complicated  with  other  diseases, 
and  the  symptoms  will  confound  the  practitioner. 

Remedy.     Those  who  practice  bleeding  to  great  extent, 


HORSES.  127 

onsider  it  necessary  in  this  case ;  but  a  cure  may  gen- 
erally be  effected  without  this  operation.  Give  a  mod- 
erate dose  of  physic,  but  not  of  aloes,  in  this  case ;  and 
if  there  be  costiveness,  give  clysters  ;  and  back-rake,  if 
necessary,  owing  to  obstinate  constipation.  Give  the 
following  fever  medicine,  or  some  other  sedative  dose  :  — 
Powdered  digitalis,  one  drachm ;  emetic  tartar,  one 
drachm  ;  saltpetre,  three  drachms  ;  sulphur,  one  drachm  ; 
linseed  meal,  two  drachms ;  beat  together,  and  make 
into  a  ball,  and  give  twice  a  day  ;  or  mix  in  gruel,  and 
turn  down. 

After  the  inflammation  has  abated,  a  seton  may  be 
inserted  in  the  breast,  or  the  breast  and  sides  may  be 
blistered.  Keep  warm ;  well  clothed  ;  rub  often ;  allow 
pure  air ;  give  bran  mashes  and  green  food ;  or,  if  in 
winter,  give  carrots  or  potatoes,  and  a  little  clover  hay  ; 
but  feed  lightly,  until  the  inflammation  abates. 

PLEURISY. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  pleura,  which  is  a  thin 
membrane  enclosing  the  lungs  and  lining  the  chest. 

Causes.  The  principal  are  exposure  to  cold  and  wet. 
sudden  changes  in  temperature,  hard  riding,  and  the 
absurd  practice  of  riding  horses,  when  hot,  into  cold 
water,  to  save  trouble  in  washing  them ;  riding  against 
a  sharp  wind  on  a  very  cold  day ;  and  wounds  pene- 
trating into  the  chest,  and  injuring  the  pleura. 

Symptoms.  In  some  respects,  there  is  no  difference 
between  the  symptoms  of  an  inflammation  of  the  pleura 
and  the  lungs.  Fits  of  shivering ;  loss  of  spirits  and 
appetite ;  hanging  of  the  head,  and  disinclination  to 
move,  are  the  same  in  both  complaints.  In  pleurisy, 
the  cough  is  shorter  and  more  painful.  The  breathing 
is  different.  In  the  lung  complaint,  the  inspiration  or 
drawing  in  of  air  is  very  slow,  and  the  expiration  or  out- 
breathing  is  quick,  and  almost  spasmodic.  In  pleurisy, 
the  inspiration  is  a  short,  sudden  effort,  and  seems 
broken  off  suddenly,  before  completed;  and  then  the 
animal  expires  as  slowly  as  possible,  in  order  to  avoid 
the  repetition  of  the  painful  spasm. 


128  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

As  pleurisy  is  not  so  deep-seated  as  the  other  disorder, 
there  is  more  pain  and  tenderness  on  tapping  or  pressing 
on  the  side.  The  pain  is  sometimes  so  great,  that  the 
horse  lies  down  and  rolls.  When  the  lungs  are  in- 
flamed, the  membrane  of  the  nose,  which  is  an  extension 
from  the  lungs,  is  inflamed  also,  and  looks  extremely 
red ;  but  as  there  is  no  connection  between  the  pleura 
and  nose,  it  is  not  so  red  in  pleurisy.  Sometimes  the 
color  is  not  changed  until  the  inflammation  extends  to 
the  lungs. 

When  the  lungs  are  inflamed,  the  extremities  are  cold ; 
but  in  this  disease,  the  heat  is  increased,  or  the  tempera- 
ture is  variable.  In  that  disorder,  the  pulse  is  rarely 
quickened  ;  but  in  this,  it  is  strong  and  rapid.  It  is 
necessary  to  observe  these  nice  distinctions. 

Remedy.  Sweat  and  rub  freely  to  invite  blood  out. 
Give  injections  and  gentle  physic ;  and  then  give  seda- 
tive medicines,  and  feed  on  light,  cooling  food,  such  as 
mashes,  potatoes,  or  carrots,  and  green  herbage,  if  in  sea- 
son. Clothe  the  animal  warmly,  this  will  invite  the  blood 
outwardly  to  the  skin,  and  reduce  the  internal  heat. 
Frequent  friction  on  the  skin  will  also  promote  this 
favorable  tendency  of  the  blood.  For  the  cough,  give 
flax-seed  tea,  sweetened  with  molasses,  sugar,  or  honey. 

INFLAMMATION   OF   THE   LUNGS. 

This  disease,  called  also  pneumonia,  does  not  occur  so 
often  as  many  suppose ;  as  a  common  cold,  catarrh, 
bronchitis,  and  pleurisy,  are  often  mistaken  for  this  dis- 
order ;  and  as  all  these  have  their  seat  in  the  neighbor 
hood  of  the  lungs,  or  on  those  parts  connected  with  them, 
they  will,  when  very  severe,  or  when  neglected,  or  ill 
treated,  all  tend  to  this  complaint. 

Causes.  They  are  numerous.  The  same  as  produce 
severe  colds.  The  perspiration  which  is  thrown  off 
through  the  pores  of  the  skin  being  checked,  it  is 
thrown  upon  the  lungs.  The  blood,  in  a  measure, 
leaves  the  extremities,  and  tends  inwardly,  producing 
an  unusual  action  on  the  vital  organs.     [See  page  90.1 

Among  the  causes  are,  exposure  to  c^ld  and  wet,  sua- 


HORSES.  129 

den  cooling  after  being  heated  ;  neglect  of  drying  prop 
erly  after  being  wet ;  [see  page  89 ;]  lying  out  cool 
nights  after  labor ;  standing  in  the  cold  after  being 
heated  by  fast  driving ;  sudden  changes  to  cold,  without 
sufficient  protection  ;  over-exertion,  and  neglect :  change 
from  a  warm  to  a  colder  stable  ;  and  sometimes  a  change 
from  a  cold  to  a  hot  stable. 

Symptoms.  Shivering  fits ;  icy  coldness  in  the  legs 
and  ears;  an  obscure,  oppressed  feeling  in  the  pulse, 
without  material  change  in  its  motion,  at  first  indicating 
congestion  in  the  lungs,  and  the  heart  has  not  power  to 
impel  the  blood  onward ;  quick  and  laborious  heaving 
of  the  flanks;  indication  of  pain  by  a  turning  of  the 
head,  and  gazing  at  the  sides ;  standing  stiff  and 
bracing;  expansion  of  the  nostrils;  drooping  of  the 
head;  mouth  hot;  membrane  of  the  nose  red;  entire 
loss  of  appetite. 

Remedy.  Sweat  freely,  ( as  on  page  107. )  to  aid 
the  diaphonetic  medicine.  Give  clysters,  and  if  there 
be  much  costiveness,  only  mild  clysters  ;  and  feed  bran 
mashes  and  warm  gruel,  and  feed  lightly  on  loosening 
food  ;  but  do  not  give  physic,  on  account  of  the  sympa- 
thy between  the  lungs  and  the  bowels.  After  the  inflam- 
mation abates,  if  costiveness  continue,  give  half  doses  of 
physic.  In  the  beginning,  the  following,  or  some  other 
sweating  or  diaphoretic  medicine,  should  be  given. 
Tartar  emetic  and  asafcetida,  one  drachm  each  ;  liquorice, 
cue  drachm  ;  make  into  a  ball,  and  put  down  the  throat, 
or  dissolve,  and  give  in  gruel.  Clothe  warm,  and  hand- 
rub  thoroughly,  but  gently,  on  account  of  tenderness,  to 
invite  the  blood  outwardly. 

As  pure  air  tends  to  abate  the  heat  of  the  lungs,  place 
the  animal  where  he  can  enjoy  it,  but  not  in  a  current, 
nor  where  it  is  much  colder  than  he  has  been  accustomed 
to.  If  it  be  a  little  cooler,  supply  the  deficiency  of  heat 
by  warmer  clothing.  Close,  hot  stables  are  veiy  inju- 
rious in  this  case ;  and  the  animal  seeks  relief  by 
placing  his  head  in  the  direction  of  pure  air,  even  some- 
times inhaling  it  from  a  crack  or  knot-hole. 

After  the  sweating,  give  some  sedative  medicine,  such 
as  are  good  in  fevers.     Clover  tea,  or  raspberry  tea  is 


130  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

good.  Roweling  is  sometimes  practised  in  severe  cases, 
rubbing  the  seton  in  blistering  ointment,  to  give  more 
speedy  and  greater  effect :  but  generally,  hand-rubbing, 
often  and  thoroughly,  particularly  on  the  legs,  will  obvi- 
ate the  necessity  of  roweling. 

Blistering  is  preferred  to  roweling.  as  more  neat  and 
expeditious.  An  extensive  application  should  be  made 
over  each  side  the  chest.  The  following  is  a  good  blis- 
ter ointment  for  this  purpose: — Powdered  cantharides, 
five  drachms ;  lard,  four  ounces ;  spirits  of  turpentine, 
one  ounce ;  or  use  cantharides  with  sweet  oil  or  lard. 
Sometimes  the  rubbing  on  of  spirits  of  turpentine  is  suf- 
ficient, without  the  blistering  application. 

Some  distinguished  veterinarians  object  to  roweling  of 
blistering,  until  the  inflammation  has  abated,  as  it  tends 
at  first  to  promote  it ;  others,  of  equal  authority,  think 
these  modes  may  be  resorted  to,  even  in  the  early  stages 
of  the  disease.  This  is  only  one  among  numerous  cases 
in  which  we  are  led  to  inquire,  "Who  shall  decide,  when 
doctors  disagree/" 

HEAVES  — THICK   AND   BROKEN   WIND. 

Under  this  general  term,  are  classed  several  affections, 
frequently  originating  from  the  same  or  similar  causes  : 
all  affecting  seriously  the  respiration  of  the  horse.  There 
is  broken  wind  and  thick  wind,  which,  in  their  various 
modifications,  and  degrees  of  severity,  produce  what  are 
called,  pipers,  roarers,  wheezers,  whistlers,  and  grunters. 

Thick  Wind.  When  the  lungs  are  inflamed,  there  is 
a  great  deal  of  congestion,  and  many  of  the  air-cells  are 
filled  with  coagulated  blood  ;  and  when  they  have  been 
long  distended,  that  blood  becomes  organized,  the  cells 
obliterated,  and  this  portion  of  the  lungs  a  solid  mass, 
unfit  for  respiration  ;  of  course  the  act  of  breathing  wili 
be  laborious,  and  more  rapidly  repeated,  to  make  up  the 
deficiency.  This  is  called  thick  wind.  Sometimes  it  is 
a  consequence  of  bronchitis  or  catarrh  ;  and  then  it  arises 
from  the  lining  of  the  air  passages  being  thickened  by 
inflammation,  which  lessens  the  calibre  of  the  air-tubes, 
and  makes  the  breathing  difficult ;  and  on  this  account 
the  breathing  will  be  more  rapid  as  well  as  laborious. 


HORSES.  131 

There  are  other  causes  of  thick  wind.  A  horse  unaccus- 
tomed to  exercise  is  thick-winded,  because  the  lungs  can- 
not at  once  accommodate  themselves  to  the  full  and  deep 
breathing  which  the  exertion  requires.  A  horse,  under 
exertion,  on  a  full  stomach,  is  thick-winded,  as  there  is 
not  room  for  the  lungs  to  expand  freely.  The  practice 
of  grooms  in  galloping  horses  after  drinking,  is  very 
injurious, 

Remedy.  There  is  no  cure  for  cases  arising  from  the 
obliteration  of  the  cells  in  the  lungs,  and  this  shows  ihe 
importance  of  prompt  attention  to  those  diseases  which 
produce  this  complaint.  Much  may  be  done  by  good 
management  to  relieve  the  animal,  and  fit  him  for  ser- 
vice. Give  the  food  in  small  compass,  feeding  freely 
with  roots  and  grain,  and  sparingly  with  fodder.  Feed 
regular  ;  give  water  often  ;  give  moderate  exercise ; 
work  moderately  and  regularly  ;  but  not  on  a  full  stom- 
ach. Let  all  the  food  be  pure,  and  of  a  good  quality  ; 
and  cut  and  moisten  the  fodder.  In  this  way,  the  con- 
dition of  the  horse  may  be  improved,  so  that  he  will  do 
good  service. 

Broken  Wind  is  sometimes  caused  by  violent  and  pro- 
tracted inflammation  of  the  lungs  ;  it  is  also  produced 
by  over-working  a  thick-winded  horse ;  but  it  is  more 
frequently  caused  by  sudden  exertion  with  a  loaded 
stomach,  either  from  eating  or  drinking.  It  is  owing  to 
a  rupture  of  some  of  the  cells  of  the  lungs  ;  consequently 
the  air  is  readily  admitted  during  the  expansion  of  the 
'ungs,  but  in  the  expulsion  of  the  air,  it  becomes  en- 
tangled in  the  ruptured  cells,  and  is  forced  out  with 
great  difficulty ;  hence  the  in-breathing  is  naturally  per- 
formed by  one  effort,  and  the  out-breathing  by  two, 
occupying  a  longer  time. 

Remedy.  There  is  no  cure.  Much  may  be  done  to 
alleviate.  Pursue  the  course  recommended  for  thick 
wind.     [See  page  97.] 

Heaves.  Although  there  is  no  remedy  for  severe 
cases  of  heaves,  yet  horses  may  be  so  far  relieved  that 
they  may  appear  to  be  cured,  while  under  good  manage- 
ment.   We  add  several  remedies,  as  they  are  regarded. 

Remedy.    Two  table  spoonfuls  of  tar,  mixed  with  the 


132  tJlSEASES    OF   ANIMALS. 

yolk  of  an  egg,  given  in  the  morning,  fasting,  will  be 
useful. 

Another.  Lime-water,  or  a  little  powdered  lime,  in 
the  feed. 

Another.  Tar  and  honey,  a  table  spoonful  each : 
ball  licorice,  half  the  quantity ;  opium,  eight  grains : 
mix,  dissolve  and  give  in  a  quart  of  new  milk,  every 
other  morning,  fasting,  and  feed  on  smart-weed  hay. 

Another.  A  pound  of  antimony,  four  ounces  of  rosin, 
eight  ounces  of  sulphur,  eight  ounces  of  saltpetre,  pow- 
dered fine  and  thoroughly  mixed.  Give  half  a  table 
spoonful  once  or  twice  a  week. 

Another.  Three  quarts  of  sweet  milk  and  a  tea 
spoonful  of  oil  of  vitriol,  (sulpJmric  acid  ,-)  mix  With  the 
food. 

Another.  The  root  of  blue  flag  is  said  to  be  one  of 
the  best  remedies.  It  may  be  used  green  or  dry.  If 
green,  cut  it  fine ;  if  dry,  pulverize  it ;  and  give  with 
meal  or  oats,  morning  and  night.  Half  a  table  spoonful 
is  a  dose.  After  eating  it  a  few  times,  horses  like  it.  It 
is  also  good  for  stallions  that  have  been  injured  by  ex 
cess  in  their  peculiar  line. 

Asafoetida  is  considered  a  good  ingredient  in  a  medn 
cine  for  the  heaves.  As  it  is  strong,  use  only  a  small 
quantity. 

DISEASES  OF  THE   URINARY  ORGANS. 

Strangury,  or  difficulty  in  staling,  and  suppression  of 
urine,  are  great  evils  that  are  incident  to  the  urinary 
organs,  and  most  people,  judging  from  these  prominent 
indications  of  disease,  attribute  them  all  to  the  same 
disease,  and  give  the  same  medicines,  which  are  diuret- 
ics, that  in  most  cases  have  an  injurious  effect,  aggra- 
vating the  disorder,  and  increasing  the  pain. 

These  evils  are  the  result  of  several  diseases,  different 
in  their  nature,  location,  causes  and  remedies  ;  ana  we  have 
here  arranged  them  all  under  one  general  head,  in  order 
to  obviate  the  confusion  and  difficulty  that  now  exist, 
from  a  wrong  view  of  the  subject.  Whether  there  is  a 
suppression  of  urine  from  inflammation  of  the  kidneys, 


or  from  the  kidneys  becoming  inactive  and  dormant,  so 
that  the  secretions  are  suspended,  or  a  stoppage  from  a 
stricture  at  the  neck  of  the  bladder,  or  other  cause,  or  an 
inflammation  of  the  bladder,  there  will  be,  after  a  while, 
frequent  vain  and  painful  attempts  to  discharge  urine. 
This  leads  superficial  observers  to  treat  all  diseases  of 
the  urinary  organs  in  the  same  manner. 

INFLAMMATION   OP    THE    KIDNEYS. 

This  is  a  very  serious  disorder,  as  it  attacks  a  part 
already,  in  too  many  cases,  injured  by  previous  absurd 
treatment. 

Causes  are,  over-fatigue,  bad  food,  exposure,  driving 
a  horse  long  without  staling,  which  produces  excessive 
pain,  from  a  large  collection  of  Water  in  the  bladder  that 
is  absorbed  by  the  kidneys,  to  their  serious  injury.  Giv-^ 
tng  diuretics  too  freely  produces  excessive  action  on  the 
kidneys  in  the  secretion  of  urine,  which  weakens  and 
inflames  them.  This  shows  the  importance  of  caution 
in  treating  this  disease.  Diuretics  may  afford  temporary 
relief,  but  the  disease  will  return  with  increased  violence. 

Symptoms.  There  is  considerable  fever.  This  is 
clearly  indicated  by  the  heat  of  the  mouth,  the  heaving 
of  the  flanks,  and  the  acceleration  of  the  pulse.  The 
feeling  of  very  acute  pain  is  plainly  shown  by  the  fre- 
quent, steadfast  gaze  at  the  affected  part ;  and  that  part 
is  marked  out  by  the  direction  of  the  muzzle  to  the  loins 
more  than  to  the  belly.  There  is  disinclination  to  move, 
because  the  inflammation  rapidly  spreads  from  the  kid- 
neys to  the  muscles  of  the  loins,  and  the  least  motion  of 
them  will  give  intense  pain.  In  order  that  there  shall 
be  as  little  stress  as  possible  upon  these  muscles,  the 
hind  legs  are  straddled  widely  apart. 

This  inability  to  move  without  pain  assumes,  in  bad 
cases,  the  form  of  palsy  of  the  hinder  extremities,  and 
occasionally  runs  on  to  actual  palsy.  If  the  hand  is 
placed  on  the  loins,  an  unnatural  warmth  is  felt,  and  the 
horse  shrinks  and  crouches  under  the  slightest  pressure. 

The  urine,  which,  from  the  beginning,  was  voided 
with  some  difficulty,  escapes  in  smaller  and  smaller 
quantities,  and  the  discharge  of  it  is  accompanied  by 
13 


134  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

increasing  pain.  It  becomes  high-colored,  perhaps 
bloody.  It  diminishes  by  degrees,  until  only  a  few 
drops  are  voided  at  a  time,  and  at  length  it  ceases  alto- 
gether ;  yet  still  the  horse  strains  on,  and  the  straining 
is  accompanied  by  increased  agony.  The  secretion  c!' 
urine  cannot  be  suspended  but  a  little  while  without 
danger  or  death. 

Remedy.  Profuse  sweating  is  recommended.  Then 
give  physic,  but  not  such  as  lias  a  diuretic  effect.  Give 
no  salts  nor  calomel.  Give  a  moderate  dose  of  aloes,  with 
about  one  third  dose  of  linseed  oil.  Give  injections  of 
warm  water  frequently,  as  it  will  aid  the  physic,  and  act 
as  a  fomentation  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  inflamma- 
tion. A  decoction  of  marsh  mallows  is  excellent  as  a 
mollifying  clyster,  and  given  as  a  dose,  it  has  a  soothing 
effect. 
•  Foment  the  loins  with  hot  water,  and  apply  a  blister 
over  them  ;  but  use  no  blistering  plaster  or  composition 
that  contains  cantharides  or  turpentine,  as  they  have  a 
diuretic  effect,  and  sometimes  cause  great  pain  in  the 
urinary  organs.  Apply  the  following  poultice,  which 
has  no  such  effect :  Ground  mustard  and  linseed  meal, 
(or  Indian  meal.)  equal  parts ;  mix  with  boiling  vinegar, 
and  apply  on  the  loins.  This  will  have  a  very  favorable 
effect.  Give  gentle  physic  and  light  laxative  food,  and 
give  sedative  medicines. 

If  the  horse  does  not  regain  the  strength  of  his  hind 
limbs,  apply  the  following  strengthening  compound  to 
his  loins :  Pitch,  three  pounds ;  tar,  one  pound ;  bees- 
wax, half  a  pound ;  mix  together,  apply  thick  to  the 
loins,  when  cool  enough,  and  scatter  some  locks  of  light 
tow  or  other  similar  material,  before  it  gets  quite  cool. 

INFLAMMATION    OF    THE    BLADDER. 

Sometimes  an  inflammation  of  the  mucus  lining  of 
the  bladder  exists  at  the  same  time  with  inflammation 
of  the  kidneys,  and  is  caused  by  it ;  as  the  nature  of  the 
urine  is  changed  by  the  diseased  state  of  the  kidneys. 
It  becomes  acrid  and  irritates  the  coat  of  the  bladder. 
Other  causes  of  this  disease,  are  stimulating  food,  poison- 
ous herbage,  and  foreign  substances,  such  as  a  stone  or 
gravel  in  the  bladder. 


HORSES.  135 

SvMrTOMs.  Frequency  of  staling;  mingling  of  mu- 
cus, or  pus,  or  blood,  with  the  urine ;  a  slight  additional 
heat  felt  when  the  hand  is  introduced  into  the  rectum 
and  rests  on  the  bladder,  and  the  acute  pain  which  that 
pressure  occasions,  as  shown  by  the  shrinking  of  the 
animal. 

Remf.dv.  Sweat  freely,  rub  dry,  and  give  aloes  as 
physic ;  only  a  mild  dose,  as  the  lower  intestines  sym- 
pathize with  the  sensitive  state  of  the  bladder.  Give  a 
plenty  of  linseed  tea.  Give  mild  and  warm  injections, 
such  as  water,  or  herb  tea,  as  these  come  near  the  blad- 
nd  serve  as  fomentations.  In  England,  linseed  tea 
is  injected  into  the  bladder  by  means  of  Reed's  catheter. 
In  case  of  mares,  this  may  be  done  with  a  more  simple 
apparatus. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  NECK  OF  THE  BLADDER. 

In  this  disease,  there  is  a  spasm  of  the  sphincter  muscle 
at  the  neck  of  the  bladder,  closing  the  orifice,  so  that 
little  or  no  urine  can  pass.  To  determine  whether  there 
is  a  difficulty  in  staling,  from  inflammation  of  the  neck 
of  the  bladder,  or  a  suppression  of  urine  from  diseased 
kidneys,  the  hand,  well  oiled,  should  be  introduced  into 
the  rectum.  If  there  is  inflammation  of  the  kidneys,  the 
bladder  can  scarcely  be  felt  under  the  gut ;  but  if  the 
neck  of  the  bladder  is  inflamed,  the  bladder  will  be  full, 
and  this  will  be  evident  from  the  protrusion  upon  the  gut. 

Causes.  A  severe  cold,  irritability  of  the  bladder  gen- 
erally, a  stone  pressing  on  or  near  the  neck  of  the  blad- 
der, gravel  passing  through  and  injuring  the  urethra,  or 
the  cruel  and  worse  than  savage  custom  of  injecting  into 
mares  a  tincture  or  infusion  of  cantharides,  or  other  pow- 
erful stimulant,  to  hasten  the  periodical  heat.  Some- 
times driving  the  horse  long,  without  an  opportunity  to 
stale,  causes  a  spasm  in  the  neck  of  the  bladder,  and  is 
unattended  with  inflammation. 

Symftoms.  At  first  there  will  be  frequent  discharges 
of  urine,  then  a  gradual  decrease,  both  in  the  quantity 
and  the  size  of  the  stream,  and  at  length  a  total  cessation. 
The  extended  bladder  can  be  plainly  felt  under  the  hand 
in  the  rectum,  rather  tender  and  painful,  but  not  hot. 


136  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

Remedy.  Sweating,  to tho  fullest  extent  is  recom- 
mended ;  and  then,  during  the  temporary  relaxation  of 
'.he  spasmodic  action,  pass  the  catheter  into  the  blad- 
Jer,  and  evacuate  its  contents.  An  elastic  catheter, 
made  for  this  purpose,  is  necessary,  with  which  relief 
may  be  readily  given,  without  any  injury.  For  want 
of  this  valuable  apparatus,  an  incision  is  made  into  the 
urethra,  at  the  curve,  and  the  water  let  off  with  a  com- 
mon catheter ;  but  this  wound  is  difficult  to  heal,  and 
sometimes  it  never  heals,  and  the  water  is  discharged 
there  with  great  inconvenience,  as  it  may  unfit  the 
animal  for  labor.  An  opening  is  sometimes  made  in 
this  way,  when  there  is  an  obstruction  in  the  passage 
below  this  point. 

Back-rake,  give  mild  physic,  mashes,  and  linseed  tea 
for  drink  ;  and  if  means  are  provided,  empty  the  bladder 
whenever  it  is  full,  of  which  the  attendant  may  judge,  or 
ascertain  of  a  certainty,  by  introducing  the- hand  into  the 
rectum.  An  infusion  of  belladonna,  (two  ounces  of 
'eaves,  or  two  drams  of  extract,  to  a  pint  and  a  half  of 
water,)  may  be  injected  into  the  urethra,  and  thrown 
into  the  bladder. 

At  the  same  time,  give  a  scruple  of  powdered  bella- 
donna internally,  morning,  noon,  and  night,  made  into 
a  ball  with  linseed  meal  (or  other  meal)  and  molasses, 
or  give  in  linseed  tea  or  gruel ;  or  one  drachm  of 
opium  may  be  added.  Fomentations,  as  hot  as  could  be 
borne,  and  frequently  applied,  have  given  relief;  and  it 
may  be  well  to  try  this  simple  application  in  the  begin- 
ning. Use  thick  cloths,  and  apply  them  all  along  the 
urethra,  particularly  at  the  upper  part,  and  use  injec- 
tn  connection.  Dr.  Holmes,  of  the  Maine  Farmer, 
informs  us  that  he  was  requested  to  see  a  valuable  horse 
suffering  under  this  disease,  and  still  more  by  reason  of 
numerous  diuretic  doses  given  him  ;  and  he  was  relieved 
by  the  application  of  bags  of  boiled  hops,  frequently 
changed. 

Another  Caise  of  Strangury.  Sometimes  a  stoppage 
of  urine  is  caused  by  a  pressure  of  dung  on  the  neck  of 
the  b'adder ;  and  this  immediate  cause  is  produced  by 
constipation  of  the  bowels.     The  hardened  feces  pass 


HORSES. 


137 


off  slowly,  lodging  in  the  rectum,  and  pressing  on  the 
bladder. 

Remedy.  Back-rake,  and  give  injections  for  immedi- 
ate relief,  and  remove  the  costiveness  by  bran  mashes, 
roots,  and  green  food. 

DORMANT    STATE    OF    THE    KIDNEYS. 

Sometimes  the  kidneys  become  dormant  or  inactive, 
and  cease  to  secrete  urine.  To  ascertain  their  condition, 
when  there  is  no  discharge  of  urine,  but  frequent  and 
painful  efforts  for  this  purpose,  examine  thoroughly,  and 
see  whether  the  symptoms  indicate  any  of  the  disorders 
we  have  named  :  if  they  do  not,  a  suppression  of  urine 
may  be  supposed  to  exist  from  a  torpid  or  sluggish  stale 
of  the  kidneys,  and  diuretics  may  be  given.  But  give 
only  mild  doses,  lest  there  be  a  mistake  ;  for  it  requires 
skill  and  experience  to  judge  accurately  of  these  disor- 
ders, which  have  been  so  much  confounded  one  with 
another. 

GRAVEL   AND    STONE    IN    THE    BLADDER. 

It  is  common  for  a  horse  to  discharge  gravel  with  his 
urine.  There  is  nothing  that  can  be  given  safely  that 
will  dissolve  these  calculi,  and  all  that  can  be  done  is  to 
give  a  diuretic  dose,  and,  in  an  hour  after,  half  a  pound 
of  common  salt  in  a  quart  of  water,  to  excite  thirst,  that 
large  quantities  of  water  may  be  drunk  and  discharged, 
and  the  gravel  washed  out.  Stones  are  more  common 
in  the  kidneys  of  the  horse  than  in  the  bladder.  In 
either  case,  the  symptoms  are  very  obscure.  A  horse 
affected  with  stone  in  the  bladder  is  subject  to  colicky 
pains,  and,  during  these  pains,  he  voids  his  urine  with 
difficulty  and  violent  straining.  Mind  this,  in  examin- 
ing for  gripes  or  colic.  The  presence,  size,  and  situation 
of  stones  in  the  bladder  may  be  felt  from  the  rectum,  as 
named  in  other  diseases  of  the  urinary  organs.  Lith- 
atomy,  or  cutting,  is  sometimes  practised  for  this  com- 
plaint ;  but  this  requires  a  skilful  and  experienced 
surgeon. 

12* 


138  DISEASES    OF   ANIMALS. 

DIABETES,    OR    PROFUSE    STALING. 

This  is  a  very  weakening  disease.  The  horse  urinates 
very  often  ;  the  urine  is  colorless,  and  is  discharged  in 
immense  quantities.  He  would  drink  forever;  and  the 
water  is  hardly  down  his  throat  till  it  is  thrown  among 
his  feet  as  urine.  He  cannot  endure  hard  labor,  and  his 
coat  soon  stares :  he  refuses  to  eat.  loses  flesh,  and 
becomes  extremely  weak.  As  the  disorder  proceeds,  the 
pulse  becomes  quick  and  weak. 

Causes.  They  are  various,  and  sometimes  difficult  to 
trace.  Among  them,  are  mow-burnt  hay,  bad  oats,  and 
other  bad  fodder ;  sometimes  it  is  caused  by  an  impov- 
erished state  of  the  blood,  arising  from  the  use  of  strong 
medicines.  Ill  usage,  and  the  want  of  green  food  at  the 
proper  season,  are  also  causes. 

Remedy.  Change  the  food,  and  let  the  horse  rest  from 
hard  labor.  Put  lumps  of  coarse  salt,  and  a  piece  of 
chalk,  in  his  manger ;  put  pea  or  bean  meal  in  his  water, 
and  give  carrots  and  good  hay.  By  a  change  of  diet, 
and  good  treatment,  he  will  generally  recover  without 
medicine ;  but  if  the  disease  continue,  give  a  dose  of 
physic. 

If  this  course  does  not  cure,  astringents  must  be 
resorted  to ;  the  following  is  good :  —  Catechu,  two 
drachms ;  opium,  half  a  drachm  ;  linseed  meal,  two 
drachms ;  make  into  a  ball,  with  molasses,  or  mix  in 
gruel.  Give  this  dose  morning  and  night;  and  if  it 
binds  the  bowels,  add  one  drachm  of  aloes,  or  some 
other  laxative,  in  small  portion,  to  each  dose ;  or  keep 
the  bowels  open  with  bran  mashes.  If  it  be  in  season, 
give  green  food. 

POLL   EVIL. 

This  disease  is  a  swelling  on  the  poll  of  the  head,  just 
back  of  the  ears.  If  not  dispersed,  it  suppurates,  and 
generally  becomes  a  formidable  disease.  Some  regard 
it  as  incurable ;  but  severe  cases  have  been  cured. 

Causes.  They  are  numerous.  The  most  common 
are,  a  painful  blow  inflicted  on  the  poll,  striking  or  rub 


HORSES.  139 

bing  fh.  head  against  the  lower  part  of  the  manger  or 
other  tn.ag,  striking  the  poll  in  passing  into  a  low  stable 
or  elsewhere ;  jerking  back  the  head,  when  hitched  by 
the  bridle  or  halter.  It  is  sometimes  occasioned  by  a 
general  morbid  state  of  the  system.  It  is  often  caused 
by  tossing  up  the  head  to  avoid  the  pain  and  discomfort 
occasioned  by  the  check  or  bearing  reins,  which  constrain 
the  head  in  an  unnatural  position.     [See  page  77.] 

Symptoms.  At  first,  the  animal  appears  restless, 
throwing  up  his  head,  and  returning  it.  He  soon  drops 
his  head,  holding  it  first  on  one  side,  and  then  on  the 
•jther.  He  appears  dull  about  the  eyes,  and  sluggish  in 
all  his  movements.  Heat  and  swelling  of  the  poll  follow. 
If  the  evil  is  deep,  the  swelling  is  wide  ;  but  when  near 
the  surface,  it  presents  a  point. 

Remedy.  When  taken  early,  the  disease  may  some- 
times be  dispersed.  Abate  the  inflammation  by  bleed- 
ing and  physic,  and  frequent  application  of  warm  vine- 
gar, saturated  with  salt.  Observe  a  cooling  regimen, 
reducing  the  quantity  of  oats,  and  soon  discontinue  them 
altogether.  Apply  an  astringent  or  scattering  poultice  ; 
but  be  careful  and  not  pursue  this  course  far,  unless  it 
is  likely  to  succeed. 

If  heat,  swelling,  and  tenderness  increase,  matter  will 
form  in  the  tumor,  and  the  whole  course  of  treatment 
must  be  changed ;  a  full  habit  will  be  necessary,  in 
order  to  bring  it  to  a  suppuration  as  fast  as  possible ; 
and  the  parts  should  be  softened  and  drawn  by  a  poul- 
tice of  oat  or  Indian  meal,  applied  lukewarm,  twice  a 
day.  The  power  of  the  poultice  may  be  increased  by 
roasted  onions.  Mix  with  it  a  small  quantity  of  hog's 
lard  or  sweet  oil.  It  should  cover  the  whole  swelling 
two  inches  thick. 

When  the  tumor  is  ripe,  if  near  the  top,  it  may  break ; 
but  if  deep,  it  must  be  opened.  The  opening  should  be 
a  little  below  the  centre,  and  lengthwise,  lest  the  cervic- 
ular  ligament  under  the  mane  be  cut,  which  will  cause 
the  head  to  droop  ever  after.  In  order  that  the  matter 
may  run  out  as  fast  as  formed,  and  not  collect  at  the 
bottom  of  the  ulcer,  corroding  and  irritating  it,  a  seton 
should  be  inserted,  penetrating  through  the  bottom,  and 


MO  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

coming  out  on  the  side  of  the  neck,  a  little  below  the 
bottom  of  the  abscess.  Perhaps,  by  pressing  the  parts,  in 
order  to  produce  a  discharge,  keeping  it  open  at  the  top, 
and  by  cleansing  with  frequent  -washings  in  strong  soap 
suds,  "the  matter  can  be  expelled  without  a  seton. 

If  the  ulcer  deepens  and  spreads,  and  threatens  to  eat 
the  ligatures  of  the  neck,  cleanse  it  by  a  weak  lye  of 
wood  ashes,  and  apply  a  poultice  of  the  soft  pulp  of 
roasted  carrots,  to  which  add  a  small  quantity  of  char- 
coal powder.  Should  the  healing  of  the  wound  proceed 
too  fast,  the  granulations  should  be  touched  with  some 
caustic.  The  operator  should  be  cautious,  as  the  acri- 
monious matter  discharged  from  the  abscess  may  be 
absorbed  at  the  roots  of  his  finger  nails,  and  infect  the 
system  with  poison. 

Another.  Friend  Solon  Robinson  says,  in  the  Frank 
lin  Farmer,  "Here  is  a  cure  for  poll  evil,  in  its  worst 
state ;  when  the  swelling  breaks,  put  into  the  opening 
from  which  the  matter  discharges,  a  lump  of  pearlash 
or  potash,  as  big  as  you  can  with  your  finger.  These 
applications  will  cure  the  worst  cases  of  poll  evil  or  fis- 
tula I  ever  saw." 

Another.  A  correspondent  of  the  Albany  Cultivator 
recommends,  as  soon  as  the  tumor  appears,  to  make  a 
strong  decoction  of  the  root  of  the  meadow  plant  or  vine, 
known  by  the  name  of  poison  ivy,  mercury,  or  poison 
vine,  (Rus  radicans  ;)  bathe  the  tumor  with  this  decoc- 
tion every  day.  as  hot  as  the  horse  can  bear  it,  and  heat 
it  in  with  a  hot  iron.  It  will  soon  begin  to  subside,  and, 
after  some  weeks,  disappear.  He  cured  a  horse  in  this 
way.  that  was  so  bad  that  he  could  not  drop  his  head  to 
drink. 

Another.  Several  severe  cases  have  been  cured  by 
washing  with  soap  suds,  and  putting  common  salt  into 
the  ulcer,  repeating  it  frequently. 

Another  View  or  the  Case.  D.  P.  Mosely,  of  West 
Liberty,  Kentucky,  thinks  this  disease  may  be  caused 
otherwise  than  by  external  injuries.  He  says,  "  The 
cerumenous  glands  are  internally  connected  with  the 
ear  and  occiput,  (hinder  part  of  the  head.)  Their  office 
is  to  secrete  cerumen,  (ear  wax,)  which  lubricates  the 


HORSES.  141 

organs  of  hearing.  When  these  glands  become  injured 
by  colds,  fatigue,  &c,  the  secretions  become  obstructed, 
and  produce  swellings,  and  suppuration.  He  recom- 
mends a  stimulant  upon  the  muscles  Gf  the  ear,  as  fol- 
lows:—  Put  three  spoonfuls  of  finely  pulverized  flint 
glass  into  a  bottle  containing  a  pint  of  urine  ;  bury  it 
in  the  ground  for  three  days  ;  then  shake  it  up,  and  put 
one  spoonful  into  each  ear  of  the  horse,  once  a  day,  for 
three,  four,  or  five  days.  He  states  the  cure  of  a  very 
severe  case,  from  this  application,  in  which  the  tumor 
had  broken,  and  become  very  offensive.  After  pulver- 
izing the  glass,  it  should  be  scronched  through  very  fine 
cambric  or  gauze.  Perhaps  some  other  stimulant  would 
answer. 

PHRENITIS,  OR  INFLAMMATION   OF  THE 
BRAIN. 

The  term  staggers  used  to  be  applied  to  this  disease, 
but  it  is  only  a  symptom  of  this  and  other  diseases. 
Phrenitis  is  produced  by  a  determination  of  the  blood  to 
the  brain. 

Causes.  Change  from  poor  to  high  feeding  and  rich 
pastures,  over-exertion  in  close,  sultry  weather,  espe- 
cially in  fat,  high-fed  horses,  lately  accustomed  to  only 
a  little  labor.  It  sometimes  results  from  other  diseases, 
or  a  change  of  inflammation  from  one  organ  to  another ; 
it  may  suddenly  leave  the  bowels,  lungs,  or  other  parts, 
and  attack  the  brain.  But  it  is  usually  caused  by  a 
diminution  of  the  excretions  which  produce  costiveness 
and  induration  of  the  contents  of  the  intestine,  and  a 
strong  flow  of  blood  to  the  head. 

Symptoms.  Hanging  of  the  head,  dulness,  watery 
eyes,  reeling  of  the  body,  and  sleepiness.  While  eating, 
the  animal  becomes  lethargic,  droops  his  head,  with  the 
tongue  hanging  out  and  saliva  dribbling ;  and  he  will 
stagger  and  almost  fall.  If  aroused,  he  stares  around, 
and  then  slumbers  again.  If  he  falls,  he  will  start  up 
as  though  frightened,  wander  about,  stagger  and  fall 
again. 

This  nay  continue  some  hours,  or  a  day,  and  then  the 


142  DISEASES    OF    ANDIALS. 

scene  changes ;  he  is  alive,  his  ears  up  and  eyes  glar- 
ing; he  is  constantly  changing  his  posture,  pawing  and 
stamping.  He  has  intervals  of  calmness  for  a  short 
time.  Again  he  is  active ;  he  whinnies,  moans,  dashes, 
plunges,  bites  and  kicks,  without  object  or  conscious- 
ness. He  exhausts  himself,  and  then  he  is  stupid  and 
sleepy.  And  so  he  generally  goes  on,  till  he  has  rup- 
tured a  blood-vessel  in  the  brain,  or  worn  himself  out 
by  violence. 

Remedy.  Bleed  profusely.  Give  a  gallon  of  herb 
drink,  made  of  mallows  or  other  herbs.  Give  flax-seed 
tea  to  lubricate  the  bowels  and  prepare  for  physic. 
Back-rake,  and  give  an  exciting  injection.  In  the  course 
of  six  or  ten  hours,  give  a  dose  of  physic.  Then  give 
mashes  and  feed  sparingly,  and  keep  in  a  dark  stable. 

Another.  Make  an  incision  in  the  forehead,  in  the 
form  of  a  cross,  two  inches  in  extent,  down  to  the  bone  ; 
dissect  up  the  angles,  and  introduce  a  tea-spoonful  of 
cantharides ;  then  close  the  skin,  and  confine  it  by  stiches. 
In  a  few  hours  an  inflammation  takes  place,  a  copious 
flow  of  mucus  from  the  nose  ensues,  and  the  symptoms 
of  the  disease  abate.  A  deep  sore  is  formed,  which 
should  be  cleansed  daily  by  soap  suds.  In  this  case  the 
cause  should  be  removed  by  laxative  food  and  gentle 
physic. 

Another.  Give  physic  and  keep  on  light  food.  After 
an  operation  on  the  bowels,  give  the  following  fever 
drink :  emetic  tartar,  one  drachm ;  powdered  digitalis, 
half  a  drachm ;  saltpetre,  three  drachms ;  mix,  and  give 
in  a  quart  of  gruel.  When  this  medicine  cannot  be  ob- 
tained, give,  as  a  fever  drink,  two  quarts  of  strong  rasp- 
berry tea,  or  other  soothing  astringent  tea,  adding  the 
saltpetre,  or  some  other  light  diuretic  dose,  if  convenient. 

VERTIGO,   MEGRDIS,   OR  FITS. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  brain  in  its  mildest 
form.  The  horse  appears  well,  but  owing  to  heat,  ful- 
nsss  of  flesh,  rather  fast  driving,  or  the  effects  of  exer- 
f:on  after  inaction,  he  is  suddenly  seized,  stops,  shakes 
•rs  head,  is  giddy,  looks  around  half  unconscious.     After 


HORSES.  143 

a  few  minutes'  rest,  he  revives  and  goes  on,  but  not  so 
well  as  before.  Sometimes,  without  any  warning,  he 
drops,  lies  a  few  minutes  apparently  insensible,  then 
starts  up  and  goes  on  again.  Or  he  drops  and  struggles 
violently  for  a  few  minutes,  then  calmly  rises  and  pro- 
ceeds, though  somewhat  oppressed  and  weakened.  Oc- 
casionally he  drops  and  dies  at  once. 

Prevention.  Keep  the  horse  in  a  good,  healthy  con- 
dition, and  give  moderate  exercise.  Be  careful  and  not 
feed  too  high. 

Remedy.  Give  physic  and  fever  drinks,  with  light 
diuretics,  and  feed  lightly. 

BIG  HEAD. 

Young  horses  are  more  liable  to  this  disease  than  older 
ones.  It  does  not  seem  to  be  contagious,  yet  when  it  is 
in  a  large  stock  of  horses,  many  are  liable  to  be  affected 
before  it  can  be  eradicated.  It  is  slow  in  its  progress, 
both  in  its  effects  on  those  attacked,  and  in  attacking 
others  ;  in  this  way,  it  will  sometimes  remain  on  a  place 
several  years.  Some  say  this  disease  is  caused  by  blind 
teeth,  which  should  be  removed.  English  writers  do  not 
speak  of  this  disease.  It  is  unknown  in  the  Northern 
States.  It  prevails  in  the  South,  and  in  some  sections 
of  the  West.  It  is  most  prevalent  in  new  countries,  and 
usually  attacks  horses  that  run  at  large  and  live  in  the 
woods. 

Appearances  after  Death.  The  bones  of  the  head, 
particularly  of  the  jaws,  are  heaved  up  and  distended. 
The  bone  at  the  surface  appears  solid  and  of  the  usual 
consistence,  but  when  broken  open,  the  inner  part  is 
distended  and  not  compact,  exhibiting  the  appearance 
of  dry  honey-comb,  or  pumice-stone.  The  teeth  also  are 
affected,  and  have  the  same  unnatural  distention  and 
want  of  solidity  as  the  jaw  bones.  Some  of  the  bones 
in  other  parts  of  the  system  are  affected. 

Symptoms.  The  first  appearance  of  the  disease  is  an 
enlargement  of  the  front  of  the  head,  between  the  eyes 
and  nostrils.  This  unnatural  bulk  continues  to  increase, 
with  greater  or  less  rapidity,  in  different  subjects.     After 


144  msE/.sss  o?  animals. 

the  horse  has  been  some  time  affected,  the  under  jat? 
also  begins  to  exhibit  a  like  growth  and  distention. 
Sometimes  it  exceeds  the  other  in  increase.  At  an  early 
period,  some,  and  a  later  period,  other  subjects,  begin  to 
languish  and  lose  their  activity  and  strength ;  the  joints 
grow  stiff  and  unshapely ;  the  back  becomes  weak  and 
anelastic,  until  he  dies,  or  is  killed  to  terminate  his  suf- 
ferings. 

Remedy.  Numerous  modes  of  treatment  have  been 
tried  for  this  disorder,  without  success.  The  following 
has  been  attended  with  favorable  results,  when  the  dis- 
order has  been  taken  in  season.  Take  a  piece  of  bar 
iron,  and  have  it  formed  into  the  shape  of  a  chisel,  about 
two  inches  wide.  Let  it  be  about  as  sharp  as  chisels  or 
axes  usually  are  before  ground.  Heat  this  in  the  fire 
until  it  is  quite  red.  Search  out  a  gristle  or  ligament 
which  extends  from  near  the  eye  to  near  the  nostril.  It 
ts  almost  as  large  as  a  person's  little  finger.  Apply  the 
edge  of  the  heated  iron  across  this  ligament,  about  mid- 
way  between  the  eye  and  nostril,  and  sever  it  by  burn- 
ing entirely  into  the  bone,  on  both  sides. 

Let  the  wound  alone.  The  severed  ligature  should  be 
pre\rented  from  reuniting  again  too  readily,  and  the 
irritating  and  suppurating  state  of  the  wound  may  be 
advantageous  ;  and  having  kept  open  the  sore  for  some 
time,  it  will  heal  of  itself. 

If  the  disease  has  not  advanced  far,  the  head  will 
gradually  and  slowly  shrink  to  its  former  dimensions. 
If  it  has  advanced  further,  the  horse  may  be  servicable, 
though  the  head  may  not  regain  its  natural  shape.  It  is 
said  to  be  attended  with  no  danger. 

Another  Remedy.  One  quart  of  hog's  lard ;  one 
quart  of  tar ;  one  pound  of  sulphur,  or  brimstone ;  put 
all  together  in  a  pot  over  a  slow  fire,  and  boil  until  the 
brimstone  disappears.  Then  make  a  mop  on  a  strong 
stick,  and  rub  the  horse's  head,  from  the  eyes  to  the 
nose,  once  a  day,  with  this  mixture,  till  it  is  all  gone 


HORSES.  145 


RABIES,   OR  MADNESS. 

This  dreadful  disease  is  produced  by  the  bite  of  a  mad 
dog,  or  by  such  dog  licking  the  muzzle  of  a  horse  whose 
lips  are  galled  by  the  bit. 

Symptoms.  The  horse  stops,  looks  round,  staggers 
and  falls.  He  will  soon  rise,  proceed  again,  and  again 
stagger  and  fall.  After  a  while,  he  becomes  violent  and 
furious ;  stamping,  biting,  tearing,  and  endeavoring  to 
demolish  everything  around  him  ;  acting  with  apparent 
consciousness  and  intent  on  mischief. 

Unlike  other  domestic  animals,  even  the  dog,  in  which 
this  disease  originates,  the  horse,  like  the  human  being, 
generally  has  a  dread  of  water,  or  hydrophobia  ;  as  the 
head  is  suddenly  snatched  from  a  pail  of  water,  amidst 
drinking,  and  he  trembles  and  sometimes  falls  to  the 
ground,  convulsed,  at  the  sound  of  falling  water. 

There  is  no  cure,  but  it  may  be  prevented  by  cutting 
out  the  wound  immediately  after  the  bite,  before  the 
poison  has  entered  the  circulation,  or  by  the  application 
of  lunar  caustic,  so  as  to  destroy  every  part  that  is  in- 
jured. It  must  reach  to  the  very  bottom  of  the  wound. 
It  is  dangerous  to  do  anything  with  a  horse  when  this 
malady  controls  him.     [See  page  277.] 

THE   HORSE    DISEASE. 

This  term  was  given  to  an  unusual  and  very  fatal 
malady  that  prevailed  among  horses  around  the  city  of 
New  York,  particularly  on  Long  Island,  in  the  summer 
and  early  fall  of  1846.  It  mostly  affected  those  that 
were  pastured.  It  seemed  to  be  a  congestive  fever  on 
the  brain.  The  internal  organs  were  free  from  inflam- 
mation. 

Cause  .  It  was  supposed  to  be  caused  by  miasma  in 
the  air,  arising  from  the  decomposition  of  vegetable  and 
animal  matter,  which,  taken  into  the  lungs,  vitiated  the 
blood,  or  prevented  the  usual  purifying  effects  of  vital 
air. 

Symptoms.  These  varied.  In  some  cases,  it  com- 
!  13 


146  DISEASES    OF    ANEMALS. 

menced  by  the  horse  refusing  food,  and  hanging  lown 
his  head.  He  soon  became  stupid,  and  leaned  against 
any  object  for  support.  In  a  few  hours  he  fell,  and  in  a 
day  or  two  expired.  In  other  cases,  it  commenced  by 
weakness  across  the  loins,  and  stiffness  of  the  limbs, 
which  gradually  increased  till  the  animal  fell,  generally 
to  rise  no  more.  In  the  latter  case,  the  brain  did  not 
appear  to  be  affected. 

Remedy.  Many  medicines  were  tried,  and  mostly  in 
vain.  General  bleeding  usually  hastened  death ;  in 
some  few  cases,  when  it  was  attended  to  at 'a  very  early 
stage,  it  seemed  to  have  a  favorable  effect.  Moderate 
bleeding  in  the  head  was  considered  useful ;  after  this 
operation,  cold  water  was  applied  to  the  head,  with  appa- 
rent benefit.  In  some  cases,  it  was  thought  that  cam- 
phor, in  others,  calomel,  had  a  good  effect.  But,  in  most 
cases,  it  proved  fatal,  in  spite  of  medicines  and  treat- 
ment.   About  five  hundred  died. 

LAMPAS. 

A  swelling  of  the  bars  of  the  mouth.  Young  horses 
are  most  subject  to  it.  It  will  generally  subside  without 
medical  treatment.  A  few  mashes,  with  light  physic, 
will  generally  relieve  the  animal.  A  few  cuts  across 
the  bars,  with  a  penknife,  in  the  middle  part,  to  avoid 
the  principal  artery  and  vein  of  the  palate,  will  relieve 
the  inflammation.  Burning  is  unnecessarily  cruel,  and 
renders  the  part  callous.  Sometimes  the  lampas  is 
caused  by  the  tushes  coming  through  the  gums.  In  that 
case,  lance  the  gums  above  the  teeth. 

BLACK  TONGUE. 

In  the  winter  of  1S3-1,  an  epidemic,  under  this  name, 
prevailed  extensively  in  Maine,  among  cattle  and  horses. 
The  tongue  swelled,  turned  dark,  cracked,  and  the  skin 
peeled  off,  and  it  was  so  sore  that  it  was  difficult  for  the 
animal  to  eat.  Cooling  laxatives,  and  washing  the 
tongue  in  a  decoction  of  white  pine  bark,  had  a  good 
effect.  The  remedy  used  for  cattle  would  doubtless  be 
beneficial.     [See  this  subject  under  the  head,  "Cattle."] 


147 


THE   EARS. 


The  ears  of  horses  are  covered  with  a  short  down  on 
the  inside,  mixed  with  large  hairs,  to  prevent  cold  air, 
snow,  sleet,  rain,  dust,  and  flies,  from  hurting  the  inter- 
nal ear.  Therefore,  trimming  this  part  is  very  inju- 
rious. 

In  hot  weather,  there  is  a  species  of  flies  that  eat  the 
inside  ol  the  ear  till  it  is  raw  ;  they  are  exceedingly  tor- 
menting. To  prevent  this,  apply  some  oil,  lard,  or  other 
grease,  to  the  inner  part  of  the  ear,  once  in  a  few  weeks. 
in  the  warm  season.  Begin  before  the  flies,  else  it  will 
be  difficult  to  touch  the  ears,  from  their  tenderness. 

FOUNDER. 

This  disease  is  caused  by  riding  the  horse  until  much 
heated  and  fatigued,  and  then  allowing  him  to  cool  sud- 
denly, by  drinking  freely  of  cold  water,  or  standing  in 
an  exposed  situation,  or  in  a  cold  stable  without  cover- 
ing ;  or,  without  sudden  cooling,  it  may  be  produced  by 
too  bountiful  feeding,  and  his  swallowing  his  food  gree- 
dily, while  very  warm  and  hungry. 

Under  such  unfavorable  circumstances,  the  poor  ani- 
mal, after  resting,  instead  of  being  refreshed,  is  stiff'  and 
sore  ;  his  rest,  food,  and  drink,  being  more  destructive 
to  health  than  constant  action  and  abstinence.  On  the 
contrary,  had  he  been  allowed  to  cool  gradually,  and  fed 
sparingly,  he  would  have  escaped  injury. 

Remedy.  Take  from  the  neck  vein  a  gallon  of  blood, 
arid  give  as  a  drink,  in  a  quart  of  strong  sassafras  tea,  a 
table  spoonful  of  saltpetre,  and  a  quarter  of  an  ounce  of 
assafcetida  ;  withholding  any  drink  for  six  hours  ;  at  the 
end  of  which,  should  he  not  be  better,  take  half  the 
quantity  of  blood,  repeat  the  drink,  offering  him  bran  or 
oats  scalded  with  sassafras  tea,  his  drink  being  mixed 
with  tea.  His  feet  should  be  well  cleaned,  and  filled 
with  cow  dung. 

Another.  As  soon  as  your  horse  is  foundered,  bleed 
him  in  the  neck  in  proportion  to  the  severity  of  the  case. 


148  DISEASES    OF    AND1ALS. 

In  extreme  cases,  bleed  him  as  long  as  he  can  stand. 
Then  draw  his  head  up,  and  with  a  spoon,  lay  salt  back 
on  his  tongue,  till  he  has  swallowed  one  pint.  Let  him 
drink  only  moderately.  Anoint  his  feet  with  spirits  of 
turpentine,  and  he  will  soon  be  well.  The  founder  per- 
vades every  part  of  the  system.  Bleeding  arrests  it  in 
the  blood,  and  the  salt  in  the  stomach  and  bowels.  At- 
tend to  it  immediately  after  the  injury. 

Another.  Curry  the  horse  with  a  sharp  curry-comb, 
very  briskly,  against  the  hair,  from  his  hoofs  over  the 
whole  body,  and  with  sufficient  severity  to  draw  blood 
slightly,  in  places ;  then  jump  on  him,  and  run  him  some 
distance,  and  he  will  be  relieved. 

Another.  If  your  horse  founders  over  night,  take 
him  the  next  morning,  and,  by  turns,  set  each  hoof  in  a 
pint  of  boiling  hot  hog's  lard,  first  cleaning  the  hoof; 
and  better  still,  if  the  shoe  be  taken  off.  Have  it  boil- 
ing hot  for  each  foot,  and  with  a  spoon,  put  it  over  the 
hoof  as  near  as  possible  to  the  hair.  He  will  be  fit  for 
use  in  three  or  four  hours ;  so  says  a  Kentuckian  who 
had  practised  this  mode  of  cure  for  fifty  years  without  a 
single  failure. 

Another.  Immediately  on  discovering  the  founder, 
give  the  horse  about  a  pint  of  sun-flower  seeds  in  his 
feed.  This  may  aid  in  the  cure ;  but  it  may  not  be 
sufficient  alone. 

H.  Cole,  in  the  Prairie  Farmer,  recommends,  as  a 
simple  and  certain  cure,  to  bleed  the  horse  freely  in  the 
neck,  as  soon  as  the  founder  is  discovered,  and  as  soon 
as  practicable,  place  him  in  water  about  up  to  his  belly ; 
the  colder  the  better,  and  let  him  stand  two  thirds  of  a 
day ;  or,  if  badly  foundered,  longer.  This  drives  the 
founder  from  his  feet  and  legs,  and  prevents  its  settling 
there. 

EATING   TOO   MUCH  GRAIN. 

Some  animals  eat  grain  to  excess  when  they  get 
access  to  it,  and  it  would  often  kill  them,  unless  relieved. 
The  grain  absorbs  the  juices  of  the  stomach,  and  with 
the  heat  becomes  so  swelled  as  to  be  in  danger  of  burst- 
ing it.    Or,  if  this  does  not  take  place,  the  stomach  may 


HOUSES.  149 

lose  its  action  from  over-fulness,  and  fever  and  other 
diseases  ensue.  Besides  the  distention  from  swelled 
grain,  there  may  be  gases  from  fermentation. 

The  general  opinion  among  farmers  has  been,  that 
after  a  creature  has  eaten  too  much  grain,  he  must  not 
drink,  lest  the  water  cause  swelling  of  the  grain.  Some 
say  he  would  better  drink ;  and  our  opinion  has  been, 
that  he  would  better  drink  moderately  of  salt  water,  or 
of  an  alkaline  solution,  as  this  will  absorb  the  gas,  and 
prevent  swelling  and  fermentation,  and  at  the  same 
time  supply  moisture  to  the  dry  stomach. 

On  this  contested  point,  we  have  obtained  the  opinion 
of  Dr.  Holmes,  of  the  Blaine  Farmer,  who  makes  the 
following  judicious  remarks  :  —  "  The  injury  arises  from 
two  causes,  the  swelling  of  the  mass  by  absorption  of 
the  juices  and  lluids  in  the  stomach,  and  gases  arising 
from  fermentation.  The  animal  should  drink  moder- 
ately, for  the  grain,  warmed  and  moistened  by  the  stom- 
ach, will  swell,  and  by  absorbing  all  the  juices  in  the 
stomach,  is  apt  to  bring  on  a  fever.  A  small  portion  of 
water  will  relieve  the  dryness  in  the  stomach,  and  put 
the  mass  of  grain  in  a  condition  to  move  out  of  the 
system." 

Remedies.  Give  drink  moderately,  and  let  it  include 
a  good  dose  of  lime  or  chloride  of  lime,  or  a  lye  of  wood 
ashes.  If  the  case  be  severe,  back-rake,  and  give  injec- 
tions—  exciting  ones,  if  obstinate  constipation  require  it. 
Soon  after  giving  the  alkaline  solution,  give  a  pint  of 
any  kind  of  oil,  or  melted  lard.  A  little  gentle  exercise 
may  be  useful.  Ardent  spirit  of  any  kind  is  good,  or 
any  warm  stimulant  in  a  small  compass,  as  Cayenne 
pepper  or  hot  drops,  as  it  checks  fermentation,  and 
warms  and  excites  the  stomach  to  action.  For  some  time 
after,  feed  lightly,  and  treat  kindly,  for  the  stomach  will 
be  weak  and  tender. 

HIDE -BOUND. 

This  often  results  from  poor  keeping  and  bad  usage ; 
sometimes  from  surfeit.     The  animal  grows  poor,  his 
skin  becomes  dry  and  rigid,  and  seems  to  adhere  to  his 
13* 


150  DISEASES    OF   ANIMALS. 

bones,  and  sometimes  small  boils  break  out  on  his  back. 
It  is  generally  only  a  symptom  of  disease,  particularly 
of  the  digestive  organs. 

Treatment.  Feed  liberally,  and  give  bran  mashes, 
roots,  or  green  food,  to  keep  the  bowels  open  ;  work 
moderately,  oil  the  skin,  and  curry  often,  but  not  harshly, 
as  the  bones  are  too  prominent  for  such  an  operation. 
This,  with  good  usage,  will  generally  cure,  when  the 
complaint  is  owing  to  poverty  and  harshness. 

But  if  it  does  not  yield  to  the  above  treatment,  the 
digestive  organs  are  probably  disordered,  and  medicine 
maybe  necessary.  Give  alternative  medicines:  —  two 
drachms  of  levigated  antimony,  the  first  night ;  three 
drachms  of  saltpetre  the  second  night ;  and  four  drachms 
of  sulphur  the  third  night,  in  bran  mashes. 

The  bran  will  keep  the  bowels  loose ;  the  antimony 
and  sulphur  are  fine  for  the  skin ;  the  sulphur  for  the 
bowels,  and  the  saltpetre  for  the  urine.  If  the  horse  can 
be  spared  from  labor,  gentle  physic  will  be  beneficial. 
Rub  him  well,  and  use  warm  clothing,  if  the  weather  be 
cool. 

LICE. 

See  this  subject  under  the  head  "  Hens."  The  smaller 
kind  of  lice  that  infest  hens  often  get  on  horses,  when 
the  hen-roost  is  near  them.  They  multiply  rapidly,  and 
notwithstanding  their  small  size,  they  become  a  formi- 
dable enemy,  tormenting  the  poor  animal  almost  to 
death.  He  rubs  and  scratches,  tearing  off  the  hair  and 
skin,  but  all  in  vain ;  they  continue  to  tease  and  bite. 
They  are  difficult  to  destroy,  and  some  powerful  means 
that  are  recommended  would  sooner  kill  the  horse  than 
the  lice,  as  they  are  more  hardy,  and  will  long  endure 
what  would  kill  the  horse  instantly. 

Mr.  Albert  Todd,  of  Smithfield,  R.  I.,  had  a  horse 
sadly  afflicted  with  lice,  from  having  the  hen-roost  near 
him.  As  he  knew  not  what  ailed  him,  they  became  an 
awful  scourge  before  he  discovered  the  cause  of  the  evil. 
After  he  learned  the  cause,  he  tried  tobacco,  soap  suds, 
and  oil,  but  in  vain ;  he  then  soaked  him  all  over  in 


HORSES.  151 

new  rum,  and  this  destroyed  them.  In  such  cases,  the 
Utter  should  be  removed  beyond  the  reach  of  any  ani- 
mals, and  the  stall  and  furniture  whitewashed,  with  a 
liberal  portion  of  salt  in  the  wash;  and  the  harness 
should  be  carried  off,  and  brushed,  washed  or  oiled. 
For  these  lice  will  live  long  without  food,  and  then  re- 
vive and  increase.  We  have  kept  them  alive  nearly  a 
week  in  a  phial,  without  food. 

MOULTING,   OR   SHEDDING   THE   HAIR. 

This  is  not  a  disease,  but  a  condition  that  requires 
attention  in  the  management  of  the  horse.  It  takes 
place  in  the  spring  and  fall, — more  thoroughly  or  sud- 
denly in  the  spring,  and  then  the  animal  is  more  affected 
by  it.  It  produces  indisposition  to  a  moderate  extent ; 
sometimes  a  slight  fever,  as  the  vital  power,  which,  in 
health,  is  equally  distributed  through  the  whole  system, 
is,  in  this  condition,  determined  to  the  skin,  and  employed 
in  the  reproduction  of  hair.  Consequently,  there  is  lan- 
gor,  and  less  capacity  for  labor. 

At  these  seasons,  give  cooling  and  loosening  food ; 
manage  carefully,  clothe  well,  and  let  the  labor  be  less 
than  usual.  More  than  common  attention  to  currying 
and  rubbing  is  necessary  while  the  moulting  process  is 
going  on,  as  it  will  remove  the  old  hair  and  promote  the 
growth  of  the  new. 

ABORTION. 

Abortion  frequently  happens  to  mares.  It  often  arises 
from  over-exertion  during  the  latter  period  of  pregnancy. 
They  are  also  liable  to  various  accidents  in  the  pasture, 
which  cause  them  to  slip  their  foals ;  such  as  kicks, 
tumbling  into  holes  and  ditches,  leaping  over  fences, 
&c.  Stinting  the  mare  in  the  quantity  of  her  food,  or 
food  of  a  bad  quality,  is  a  cause  of  abortion.  On  the 
contrary,  if  she  be  fed  high  and  not  worked  at  all,  there 
is  equal  danger  of  miscarriage,  by  high  condition  and 
idleness,  causing  inflammation  and  other  disorders. 
Therefore  avoid  extremes,  and  when  the  beast  is  near 


152  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

her  time,  put  her  in  a  suitable  pasture  by  herself.    This 
subject  is  treated  of  more  fully  under  the  head  "  Cattle." 

WOUNDS   AND   BRUISES. 

One  who  has  much  experience  confidently  recom- 
mends the  following  treatment:  Dissolve  saltpetre  in 
warm  water,  in  such  proportions  as  to  be  moderately 
strong  to  the  taste,  and  add  blue  stone,  blue  vitriol, 
(sulphate  of  copper,)  until  the  solution  is  slightly  tinged. 
Use  this,  and  nothing  else,  for  a  week,  two  or  three 
times  a  day. 

It  purines  the  wound,  destroys  proud  flesh,  produces 
granulations,  and  heals  the  worst  wounds  in  a  short 
time.  It  is  good  for  a  kick,  and  is  not  liable  to  leave  a 
scar.  It  will  generally  do  well  without  any  covering. 
It  protects  from  flies,  and  as  the  skin  will  approximate 
as  the  wound  heals,  under  this  treatment,  there  is  not  so 
much  need  of  sewing  up  wounds. 

Another  Mode.  Wash  the  wound,  morning  and 
night,  in  warm  soap  suds,  and  anoint  immediately 
with  whale  oil.  This  purifies  and  heals  the  wound  as 
fast  as  desirable  for  soundness,  protects  it  from  cold 
and  flies,  and  the  hair  is  replaced  of  the  natural  color. 

Another  for  Flesh  Wounds.  Steep  Life  of  Man 
root  in  chamber  lye,  boil  it  down  one  half,  and  wash  the 
wound  with  it  several  times  a  day.  It  is  said  to  be  very 
effectual.     [See  Wounds,  page  56.] 

CRAMP,  OR  DRAWING  OF  THE  NERVES. 

Cause.  Taking  cold  after  hard  labor  and  sweating. 
The  excretions  being  suddenly  diminished  brings  on 
spasmodic  and  convulsive  symptoms.  Every  nerve 
seems  contracted  to  overthrow  its  antagonist  and  dis- 
member the  ungovernable  body.  The  eyes  are  con- 
torted, and  generally  nothing  but  the  wdiite  appears. 

Remedy.  Sweat  the  horse,  by  taking  a  large  pot  filled 
with  mayweed  and  tansy,  and  when  boiled,  place  it 
under  his  belly,  and  cover  him  with  a  large  rug  or  cov- 
erlet, to  keep  the  steam  confined  to  his  body.     A  little 


HOUSES.  153 

before  the  steaming,  give  him  sixteen  grains  of  opium 
in  half  a  pint  of  wine.  Keep  him  covered  for  a  few 
days,  and  give  him  warm  water,  and  be  careful  that  the 
cold  be  not  repeated. 

If  opium  be  not  at  hand,  give  some  warm  drink,  such 
as  ginger  and  water,  peppermint  or  pennyroyal  tea, 
adding  two  tea-spoonfuls  of  pulverized  Cayenne  pepper. 
This  will  greatly  promote  the  perspiration,  and  warm 
the  whole  system.  Hot  drops  are  also  very  good  as  a 
warming  medicine.     [See  page  49.] 

CASTRATION. 

If  horses  are  constantly  worked,  so  as  to  be  no  trouble, 
they  are  better  for  being  entire,  as  they  will  be  stronger 
and  endure  more  hardship.  On  this  account,  many  that 
are  kept  almost  constantly  in  harness  are  not  altered, 
and  they  are  perfectly  kind  and  docile.  But  as  most 
horses  are  sometimes  idle  and  run  out  with  others,  it  is 
a  general  custom  to  castrate  them. 

This  operation,  as  with  calves,  lambs  and  pigs,  could 
be  done  with  the  least  trouble,  injury  or  risk,  when  the 
colt  is  only  a  few  months  old.  But  as  the  form  of  the 
neck  and  shoulders  are  materially  improved  by  his  re- 
maining perfect,  he  is  not  generally  castrated  till  after  he 
is  a  year  old. 

If  the  fore  quarters  are  then  large  and  full,  the  sooner 
it  is  done  the  better ;  but  if  they  are  thin  and  weak,  he 
should  remain  six  months  longer.  Many  do  not  castrate 
the  colt  till  he  is  two  years  old.  The  operation  should 
be  performed  in  mild  weather,  and  the  patient  should  be 
prepared  by  a  dose  of  physic. 

Many  new  modes  of  emasculation  have  been  recom- 
mended, —  such  as  turning  the  testicles,  cording,  apply- 
ing the  clams,  &c,  —  but  the  old  mode  of  cutting  is 
generally  preferred ;  and  if  it  be  properly  done,  under 
favorable  circumstances,  it  generally,  or  almost  univer- 
sally, succeeds. 

After  carefully  casting  the  colt,  the  operator  should 
examine  the  scrotum,  and  see  if  the  testicles  have  come 
down  thoroughly,  so  that  he  can  grasp  them  firmly. 


154  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

They  may  not  have  come  down  well.  If  there  is  any 
prospect  of  a  difficulty  in  retaining  them  in  the  grasp, 
lie  should  pull  them  down  as  low  as  he  can  without 
violence,  and  place  a  pair  of  clams  above  them. 

He  grasps  the  testicle,  pushes  it  to  the  bottom  of  the 
bag,  and  then  makes  the  bag  tight  over  it ;  then  with 
one  incision,  from  before  backwards,  he  cuts  along  the 
whole  extent  of  the  lower  edge  of  the  testicle ;  he  cuts 
through  the  scrotum,  the  dartos  muscle,  and  the  tunica 
vaginalis,  and  the  testicle  slips  out.  Some  make  the 
incision  with  a  red-hot  firing  iron,  but  this  is  unneces- 
sarily painful,  and  the  wound  will  not  heal  so  soon. 
There  may  be  some  cases  in  which  it  heals  too  soon, 
while  matter  is  in  the  scrotum ;  but  these  cases  are  rare. 

The  operator  must  now  seize  the  testicle,  hold  it 
steadily,  not  draw  it  violently,  humoring  the  struggles 
of  the  animal,  and  when  he  is  still,  draw  it  out  a  little 
further,  and  place  the  clams  upon  the  cord,  having  first 
wound  a  little  tow  around  them.  The  vas  deferens, 
which  is  continued  from  the  lower  part  of  the  testicle, 
should  be  divided,  which  will  save  the  colt  much  un- 
necessary pain. 

He  then  settles  in  his  mind  where  he  will  divide  the 
cord,  so  as  not  to  leave  it  so  long  as  to  protrude  out  of 
the  scrotum,  nor  so  short  as  to  be  difficult  to  seize  in 
case  of  bleeding.  The  clams  are  then  closed,  and  fast- 
ened sufficiently  tight  to  stop  the  blood,  but  not  so  hard 
as  to  bruise  the  cord.     The  cord  is  now  divided. 

Some  cut  the  cord  with  a  knife,  and  sear  the  end  to 
prevent  bleeding,  but  the  difficulty  is  that  bleeding  will 
sometimes  occur  after  this  precaution.  The  better  way 
is,  to  draw  a  firing  iron,  with  a  sharp  edge,  rapidly  and 
repeatedly,  yet  lightly,  across  the  cord,  and  not  wholly 
in  the  same  line,  until  it  is  divided.  The  vessels  will 
then  be  more  securely  closed,  and  bleeding  will  seldom 
follow.  The  clams  should  be  a  little  loosened  to  see  if 
bleeding  is  stopped.  If  only  a  little  blood  oozes  out, 
apply  the  firing  iron  again.  This  is  a  nice  point,  as  the 
application  should  be  just  sufficient  to  accomplish  the 
intended  purrx  ie  ;  for  many  of  the  colts  that  are  lost  die 
of  inflammation  from  needless  severity  in  the  applica- 
tion of  the  hot  iron. 


HORSES.  155 

Proceed  in  the  same  manner  'with  the  other  testicle, 
and  the  operation  will  he  completed.  Cleanse  the  part 
with  cold  water,  as  nothing  is  better.  No  balsam  or 
salve  need  be  applied,  nor  is  it  generally  necessary 
during  the  healing  of  the  wound.  At  first  he  should  be 
kept  up  in  a  pen,  as  stirring  a  little  will  cause  the  pus 
and  other  fluids  to  run  out,  and  prevent  swelling  and 
inflammation.  He  may  be  walked  out  daily  for  a  quar- 
ter of  an  hour.  To  turn  him  out,  exposed  to  the  flics 
and  cool  nights,  is  cruel  and  dangerous. 

But  little  attention  will  be  necessary  afterwards. 
There  will  often  be  considerable  swelling,  and  some- 
times extending  beyond  the  scrotum  along  the  belly. 
But  if  there  be  a  healthy  discharge  of  pus  on  the  third 
day,  there  will  be  no  danger,  and  the  swelling  will  grad- 
ually subside.  Whether  there  is  swelling  or  not,  if  there 
be  no  discharge  of  pus,  the  wound  should  be  opened  a 
little  with  the  fingers,  that  any  pus  pent  up  in  the  bag 
may  escape.  If  there  be  great  swelling,  foment  the 
parts  long  and  often.  A  strong  decoction  of  raspberry 
leaves,  or  other  astringent,  will  be  good  for  this  purpose, 
in  case  fever  attend,  give  gentle  physic,  and  light  food, 
such  as  bran  mashes,  Sec. 

SALIVATION,   OR   SLOBBERS. 

Causes.  The  food  is  doubtless  the  cause,  whether  it 
be  green  or  dry,  as  is  shown  by  experiments  in  chang- 
ing food.  Some  have  attributed  salivation  to  the  second 
crop  of  clover,  but  from  very  nice  experiments  that  have 
been  made,  it  is  evident  that  clover  has  no  such  effect, 
unless  the  seed  be  a  cause.  There  are  several  grasses, 
weeds,  and  other  plants,  that  will  cause  salivation.  Lo- 
belia will  cause  it  when  eaten  by  horses ;  but  in  the  pas- 
ture, they  generally,  if  not  universally,  avoid  it ;  but 
when  mixed  with  hay,  horses  will  eat  lobelia,  and  it  will 
produce  slobbers,  as  experiments  have  plainly  shown. 
Some  say  that  clover  seed  will  cause  salivation;  hence 
this  disease  from  eating  ripe  clover. 

The  principal  cause  of  salivation  is  doubtless  spurge, 
(Euphorbia  maculate,)  which  is  generally  found  in  a  sec- 


156  DISEASES    OF   ANIMALS. 

ond  crop  of  clover ;  and  a  later  variety  (hypericifolia.) 
It  comes  forward,  flowers,  and  ripens  at  the  same  time 
as  the  second  crop,  and  it  is  gathered  with  clover 
seed.  In  this  way,  it  may  be  diffused  all  over  the  coun- 
try, and  it  is  found  in  most  parts  of  the  United  States. 

All  the  plants  of  the  genus  Euphorbia  contain  a  very 
acrid  juice.  [Some  of  them  stand  at  the  head  of  vegeta- 
ble poisons.]  It  has  the  greatest  effect  in  the  green 
state,  and  is  most  effective  when  in  flower,  which  is  in 
July  and  August. 

Symptoms.  They  are  very  apparent.  A  profuse  dis- 
charge of  saliva  from  the  mouth,  to  the  great  annoyance 
of  man  and  beast.  It  doubtless  weakens  the  animal 
very  much. 

Remedies.  Change  the  pasture,  or  the  fodder.  Take 
a  horse  that  is  salivated,  from  grass,  and  feed  him  on 
pure  hay,  and  the  salivation  will  be  stopped  in  one  night. 

Feed  with  cabbage  leaves  ;  and  if  they  be  not  at  hand, 
use  turnip  tops,  radishes,  mustard,  or  other  crumiferous 
plants.  Mix,  occasionally,  a  table  spoonful  of  sulphur 
with  the  salt  that  is  given  to  the  horse,  and  give  salt 
freely. 

FISTULA. 

This  disease  may  generally  be  attributed  to  careless- 
ness. If  the  saddle  has  not  been  properly  champered, 
or  the  padding  has  shifted  so  that  the  saddle  presses  on 
the  edge  of  the  withers,  swellings  and  sores  will  be  pro- 
duced, which,  in  bad  cases,  may  run  to  ulcers  of  the 
same  kind  as  those  of  poll  evil.  If  the  sinuses  penetrate 
between  the  shoulder  and  the  ribs,  it  is  even  more  seri- 
ous than  poll  evil,  and  the  seton  must  pass  through  the 
very  deepest  of  them.  In  many  respects,  this  disorder 
is  similar  to  poll  evil,  and  the  treatment  should  be  sim- 
ilar. 

Another  Remedy.  If  it  has  broken,  or  has  been 
lanced,  and  runs,  make  a  wash  of  elder,  (Sa?nbucus  can- 
adensis, )  wild  cherry  and  sassafras  root,  equal  parts, 
boiled     After  washing,  apply  salaeratus  to  the  sore. 


HORSES.  157 


SWEENEY. 

Sweeney  is  the  name  given  to  a  certain  disease  in 
Which  there  is  a  wasting  of  the  flesh  in  the  bone,  called 
the  scapula  [shoulder-blade]  of  the  horse.  It  is  generally 
occasioned  by  a  sprain  of  one  of  the  joints  of  the  leg. 
causing  an  interruption  of  the  circulation  of  the  fluids 
which  nourish  the  muscles  [flesh]  of  that  part  of  the 
shoulder  —  hence  the  wasting  of  the  flesh  occurs.  Farm- 
ers call  the  disease  sweency,  but  it  is  not  found  under 
that  name  in  the  books. 

The  remedy  is  simple.  In  the  centre  of  the  waste  1 
part,  take  hold,  of  the  skin,  and  pull  or  lift  it  up  with  the 
thumb  and  finger,  and  with  a  sharp  knife,  cut  off  the 
piece  thus  lifted  up,  so  as  to  remove  entirely  a  piece  of 
the  skin  about  an  inch  in  diameter ;  then  dress  the  spot 
with  a  suppurating  salve,  to  make  it  run  matter  for  two 
weeks ;  then  let  it  heal.  The  cure  depends  upon  the 
inflammation  occasioned  by  the  wound  and  the  salve ; 
this  occasions  an  increased  flow  of  nourishment  to  the 
wasted  part. 

We  would  suggest  whether  the  insertion  of  a  rowel 
would  not  answer  the  purpose  more  effectually,  and  with 
.ess  trouble,  than  removing  a  piece  of  the  skin,  and 
applying  suppurating  salve. 

Another  Remedy.  "Take  half  a  pint  of  grease, 
tried  from  old  rusty  bacon ;  half  an  ounce  gum  cam- 
phor, shaved  fine  j  four  or  five  red  peppers ;  simmer  all 
together  till  thoroughly  mixed.  Apply  this  every  other 
morning  to  the  affected  shoulder,  rubbing  it  briskly  with 
a  smooth  stone  until  it  becomes  quite  hot.  Pulling  up 
the  skin  two  or  three  times  a  day,  where  the  flesh  is 
•wasted,  will  expedite  the  cure." 

GALLED    BACK. 

Remedy.     White  lead  moistened  with  milk  is  an  ex  • 
cellent  remedy.    Keating,  in  his  expedition  to  the  source 
of  St.  Peter's  River,  found  this  the  most  successful  appli- 
14 


158  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

cation.  When  milk  ^annot  be  had,  sweet  oil  may  be 
substituted. 

Another.  Gather  a  quantity  of  smart  weed,  (arse- 
smart,)  which  generally  grows  in  moist  land  around 
stables ;  bruise  it  well,  and  put  it  into  an  iron  vessel,  in 
the  corner  of  the  stable ;  cover  it  with  chamber  lye,  and 
wash  the  galled  places  whenever  the  horse  enters  or 
leaves  the  stable,  or  oftener,  if  necessary.  A  cure  will 
be  effected.  If  badly  galled,  bruise  some  of  the  leaves, 
and  lay  on.  To  prevent  galling,  wash  daily  the  parts 
most  exposed  to  injury. 

Another.  If  the  skin  is  worn  off  the  back,  and  the 
sores  are  swelled,  bathe  it  with  hot  urine,  or  with  warm 
salt  and  water ;  this  will  disperse  the  swelling.  If  you 
wish  to  dry  up  the  sore,  powder  chalk,  or  old  shoes  burnt, 
and  cover  the  back  with  it.  If  the  back  is  full  of  hard 
lumps  or  saddle  boils,  bleed  him  freely  in  the  mouth, 
which  will  serve  him  as  a  dose  of  physic ;  then  wash 
his  back  often  in  hot  rum  and  vinegar. 

THE    SHEATH  AND  PENIS. 

Sometimes  the  sheath  of  the  horse  becomes  foul  from 
dust  and  perspiration,  which  causes  irritation  and  inflam- 
mation. Wash  it  thoroughly,  internally,  with  soap  suds, 
and  remove  all  the  foul  matter.  When  well  cleansed 
and  dry,  anoint  it  with  some  soothing  ointment  or  lini- 
ment. Lard,  or  oil  of  any  kind,  will  answer.  If  there 
be  not  much  inflammation,  the  washing  alone  may  be 
sufficient.  If  there  be  much  inflammation,  after  wash- 
ing, foment  it,  externally  and  internally,  with  some 
astringent.  Sometimes,  at  the  close  of  a  severe  illness, 
the  sheath  becomes  suddenly  inflamed  Give  gentle 
physic  and  mild  diuretics,  and  foment  the  inflamed 
parts  with  astringent  liquor. 

If  the  sheath  be  not  occasionally  examined  and 
cleansed,  filth  may  collect  and  remain  there  long,  caus- 
ing excoriations  and  ulcers,  eating  deeply  into  the  parts, 
and  producing  a  mass  of  disease  on  the  glans  of  the 
penis,  so  that  amputation  becomes  necessary.  Some- 
times masses  of  fungus,  weighing  several  pounds,  will 


HOKSES.  159 

cover  the  glans.  They  cannot  be  successfully  removed 
with  the  knife  or  cautery,  as  they  will  sprout  again. 
Amputation  of  the  penis  is  the  only  remedy ;  which  is 
neither  difficult  nor  dangerous. 

Turn  back  the  sheath,  and  draw  out  the  penis  as  far 
as  possible,  and  then  cut  it  off  as  far  below  the  diseased 
part  as  may  be  deemed  necessary.  The  remaining 
portion  will  be  retracted  within  the  sheath.  Little 
bleeding  will  generally  follow ;  excepting  a  slight  flow 
of  blood  for  a  few  days,  in  the  passing  of  urine.  The 
orifice  of  the  urethra  is  kept  open  by  the  urine,  and  no 
unpleasant  circumstances  usually  follow  from  this  oper- 
ation. 

SPRING  HALT. 

Spring  halt,  or  string  halt,  is  a  kind  of  lameness  pecu 
bar  to  the  hind  quarters  of  a  horse,  which  causes  a  sud- 
den jerking  of  the  legs  upwards  in  his  going.  When  it 
seizes  the  outside  muscles,  the  horse  straddles  and  throws 
his  legs  outward.  When  the  inside  muscles  are  affected, 
his  legs  are  twitched  up  to  his  belly.  It  is  in  one  or  in 
both  legs.  The  cure  is  difficult.  Rubbing  and  fermen- 
tations are  recommended,  with  moderate  exercise  daily. 

STIFLE. 

Cause.  It  is  caused  by  the  dislocation  or  slip  of  a 
small  bone,  about  as  big  and  as  long  as  a  man's  finger, 
at  the  stifle  joint,  above  the  inside  bend  of  the  hough  or 
gambrel,  which  is  much  the  same  as  the  knee-pan  in 
man. 

Symptoms.  Lead  the  horse  over  bars  or  other  imped- 
iments, one  and  a  half  or  two  feet  high,  and  he  will  drag 
a  stifled  leg  over,  being  unable  to  raise  it  up,  and  step 
over. 

Remedy.  If  the  stifle  is  not  slipped  out  of  place,  but 
only  strained,  it  may  be  cured  by  bathing  it  in  a  lini- 
ment made  of  three  parts  of  brandy  and  one  of  the  oil 
of  spike,  heated  in  by  a  chafing  dish  of  coals.  This  will 
contract  and  strengthen  the  ligament,  and  if  the  lame- 


160  DISEASES    OF    ANDIALS. 

ness  is  recent,  it  will  be  likely  to  cure.  But  if  the  stifle 
is  out  of  place,  fasten  a  strong  rope  or  chain  round  the 
foot-lock  of  the  lame  leg,  and  let  a  strong  man  hold  it ; 
then  move  the  horse  directly  forward,  while  the  rope  is 
held  fast  by  the  man  behind,  pulling  the  rope,  so  as  to  occa- 
sion the  leg  to  be  extended  back  as  far  as  it  can  be  drawn. 
Let  this  be  done  three  or  four  times  before  the  rope  is 
taken  off.  Be  careful  and  pull  the  leg  directly  back 
behind,  for  if  turned  on  one  side,  the  leg  may  be  injured. 
It  is  said  that  this  treatment  never  fails ;  but  if  the  stifle 
has  been  of  long  standing,  the  operation  should  be  re- 
peated in  a  few  days.  This  restores  the  bone,  and  the 
application  of  astringent  medicines,  like  the  liniment 
just  named,  will  have  a  tendency  to  keep  it  in  its  place. 

Another.  If  the  stifle  is  dislocated,  make  a  stifle 
shoe,  three  inches  high,  using  a  common  shoe  for  the 
base  ;  put  this  on  the  well  foot,  that  the  horse  may  stand 
four  or  fi  ve  days  on  the  lame  one ;  that  will  keep  the 
joint  in  its  place,  and  in  the  mean  time  bathe  the  joint 
with  the  liniment  above  mentioned.  The  stifle  shoe  is 
preferable  to  strapping  the  well  leg,  as  it  hinders  circu- 
lation, takes  off  the  hair,  and  often  lames  it. 

Another.  "  A  handful  of  sumach  bark,  and  a  hand- 
ful of  white  oak  bark,  boiled  in  a  gallon  of  water,  down 
to  two  quarts ;  bathe  the  stifle  with  this  solution  twice  a 
day  four  days  ;  then  put  on  a  salve  made  of  the  white 
of  an  egg  and  rosin,  and  bathe  the  same  in,  with  a  hot 
shovel,  two  or  three  times,  and  the  horse  is  cured." 

Another.  Take  one  gallon  of  urine,  and  put  therein 
a  small  handful  of  junk  tobacco;  boil  down  to  one 
quart ;  then  add  two  ounces  of  the  oil  of  spike,  one 
ounce  of  the  oil  of  amber,  two  spoonfuls  of  spirits  of 
turpentine,  and  two  spoonfuls  of  honey.  Put  it  into  a 
]ug,  and  cork  it  tight  for  use. 

Process  of  Application.  Rub  the  stifle  bone  hard  with 
the  mixture,  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes ;  then  dry  it  in 
thoroughly  with  a  red-hot  fire  shovel^  then  ride  the 
horse  forth  and  back  one  hundred  rod's.  Repeat  the 
above  two  or  three  times,  and  the  cure  will  be  effected, 


HORSES.  161 


SPLENT. 

Splents,  strictly  speaking,  are  bony  substances  inter- 
posed between  the  larger  and  smaller  bones  of  the  leg. 
But  horsemen  generally  call  any  bony  tumor  along  the 
side  of  the  leg,  a  splent.  They  are  caused  by  early  and 
over  work,  and  external  violence,  and  are  most  common 
to  young  horses.  The  growth  of  the  splent  is  attended 
with  heat,  tenderness  and  pain,  and  some  lameness. 
When  they  have  become  grown,  and  the  other  parts 
around  them  have  become  accommodated  to  them,  they 
do  no  material  injury,  though  unsightly,  unless  they 
interfere  with  the  action  of  any  joint.  This  disease  is 
most  common  to  the  fore  legs. 

Remedy.  If  they  produce  lameness,  or  are  in  situa- 
tions where  they  are  likely  to,  cut  off  the  hair  around 
them ;  put  on  a  smart  blistering  plaster,  to  be  kept  on 
three  days ;  chafe  the  part  strongly  with  a  tincture  of 
flies,  and  once  a  day  rub  in  opodeldoc,  with  one  quarter 
spirits  of  turpentine,  unless  this  substance  is  in  the 
opodeldoc. 

Another.  Rub  on  well,  for  four  days,  a  little  mercu- 
rial ointment ;  or,  better  still,  a  compound  of  iodine  and 
mercurial  ointment.  Then  wash  cleanly,  and  apply  a 
blister. 

Blister.  Mix  four  drachms  of  cantharides  with  sweet 
oil,  to  the  consistence  of  molasses,  and  rub  it  on  with 
the  hand,  five  or  ten  minutes. 

SPAVINS. 

Bone  Spavin  is  similar  to  splent,  excepting  it  is  con- 
fined to  the  joints,  and  common  to  the  hind  legs.  Some 
call  all  bony  excrescences  spavins  when  on  the  joints,  and 
splents  when  on  other  parts  of  the  legs.  The  bone 
spavin,  definitely  considered,  is  a  bony  enlargement  at 
the  upper  end  of  the  shank  bone,  inside  the  hock  joint, 
or  a  little  below  it.    It  belongs  to  the  hind  leg  only. 

At  the  seat  of  this  disorder,  the  leg  is  composed  of 
three  bones,  fitting  into  one  common  cavity  at  the  hock, 
14* 


162  DISEASES    OF   ANIMALS. 

yet  possess  separate  motions  to  give  elasticity  to  the 
animal's  tread,  and  assist  him  in  progression.  By 
mounting  the  colt  while  too  young  to  bear  much  weight, 
and  pushing  him  too  hard  at  work,  these  bones  are 
strained  asunder,  inflammation  ensues,  and  a  spavin  is 
thrown  out. 

Remedy.  Blister  the  part  affected,  first  shaving  off 
the  hair. 

Another.  Two  table  spoonfuls  of  melted  lard;  one 
table  spoonful  cantharides,  made  fine  ;  a  lump  of  corro- 
sive sublimate,  as  big  as  a  pea,  made  fine  ;  all  melted 
together,  and  applied  to  the  callous,  once  a  day  till  used 
up.  This  quantity  for  one  leg.  It  will  make  a  sore  and 
weaken  the  joint  while  applied,  but  be  not  alarmed. 

Another.  Take  six  ounces  of  oil  origanum,  two 
ounces  of  camphor,  two  ounces  mercurial  ointment ; 
mix  them  well  together,  and  rub  the  place  affected  two 
or  three  times  a  day,  keeping  the  horse  dry.  This  is 
said  to  be  a  good  remedy  from  acted  experiment.  It  is 
also  good  for  ring-bone.  * 

Bog  Spavin  owes  its  origin  to  hard  work  in  early  life. 
It  commonly  comes  in  the  ham,  and  is  caused  by  the 
joint-oil  of  the  hough  issuing  into  the  membrane  that 
surrounds  it,  and,  stagnating  under  the  vein,  causes  it  to 
swell.  Prick  the  swelling,  but  take  special  care  and  not 
injure  the  nervous  cord,  as  this  may  bring  on  the  locked 
jaw.  Upon  opening  the  swelling,  you  will  find  a  gela- 
tinous humor  to  issue  from  it.  Now  apply  a  turnip 
poultice  for  a  few  days,  to  draw  out  the  humors,  and 
then  strengthen  the  part  by  bathing  it  in  good  brandy. 

Blood  Spavin  is  caused  by  a  vein  being  ruptured ; 
the  blood  extravasates,  and  forms  a  protuberance. 

The  following  remedies  are  good  for  bog  spavin,  or 
blood  spavin : 

Take  a  strong  mixture  of  copperas  and  vinegar,  with 
which  rub  the  parts  affected,  keeping  the  horse  dry,  and 
stirring  him  only  enough  for  exercise. 

Take  about  a  pailful  of  urine,  into  which  throw  a 
quantity  (the  more  the  better)  of  old  rusty  iron  ;  put  the 
vessel  near  a  fire,  and  let  it  stand  three  or  four  days, 
stirring  it  occasionally,  when  it  will  be  fit  for  use. 


HORSES.  163 

Apply  this  mixture  twice  a  day ;  and  in  all  cases  it  will 
6oon  effect  a  radical  cure,  or  prove  highly  beneficial. 

SWELLED  LEGS,   OR  WEED. 

This  complaint  is  frequent  and  troublesome.  The 
causes  are  various  and  difficult  to  determine.  Young 
horses  are  most  subject  to  this  disease,  especially  if  high 
fed  on  being  taken  from  grass.  It  is  more  common  and 
more  severe  in  the  hind  legs.  It  frequently  comes  on 
very  suddenly.  Sometimes  it  is  only  the  shifting  of  an 
inflammation  from  the  lungs,  intestines,  or  other  parts. 
Sometimes  a  general  fever  attends  it,  the  pulse  quickens, 
the  mouth  is  hot,  and  the  horse  ceases  to  eat. 

Remedy.  Foment  the  legs  with  warm  water,  give  a 
good  dose  of  physic,  and  follow  it  by  a  diuretic  medi 
cine.  In  very  severe  cases,  bleed  freely.  The  legs 
should  be  well  rubbed  and  slightly  bandaged,  and 
gentle  exercise  used.  The  legs  of  horses  that  are  over 
worked  frequently  swell,  without  much  pain,  on  stand- 
ing a  day  or  two  in  the  stable.  The  legs  of  some  horses 
swell  every  night.  This  is  owing  to  debility,  either 
general,  or  of  the  part.  It  may  be  owing  to  over  work 
or  high  keeping. 

Remedy.  Give  mild  physic  and  diuretics ;  use  regular 
exercise,  and  rubbing,  and  bandages  around  the  legs. 
Decrease  the  quantity  of  food  a  little,  and  give  mashes; 
and  green  food,  if  in  the  season.  Attend  to  the  general 
management  of  the  horse,  to  promote  his  health. 

RING-BONE. 

This  is  an  ossification  or  bony  excrescence  on  the  front 
of  the  smaller  pastern  bone,  just  above  the  hoof,  and  be- 
low the  fetlock  joint ;  generally  it  is  not  very  injurious, 
but  sometimes  the  same  affection  on  the  lower  part  of 
the  larger  pastern,  at  the  joint,  causes  much  lameness. 

Causes.  Colts  that  are  kept  on  stable  floors  that  are 
cleaned  daily,  and  not  littered,  are  subject  to  this  disease. 
Low  keeping,  by  weakening  the  joints,  has  a  tendency 


164  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

to  produce  it.  In  young  horses,  it  is  often  caused  bv 
strains,  in  being  driven  too  hard ;  and  by  running  in 
pastures,  and  leaping  fences. 

Symptoms.  Lameness  is  sometimes  the  first  intima- 
tion that  we  have  of  ring-bone,  which  may  be  ascer- 
tained by  passing  the  hand  down  over  the  part  affected. 

A  Remedy  is  difficult,  out  something  may  be  done 
by  way  of  preservation  and  relief,  and  if  the  ossifica- 
tion is  not  at  the  joint,  it  will  not  be  a  serious  injury. 
As  soon  as  the  evil  is  discovered,  foment  the  part  fre- 
quently and  apply  the  following  linament.  One  quart 
of  vinegar,  two  ounces  of  salt,  and  one  quart  of  hot 
drops. 

Another.  One  pint  tincture  of  lobelia,  one  pint 
tincture  of  Cayenne  pepper,  and  four  drachms  oil  of  ori- 
ganum. Beat  up  the  last  in  a  small  quantity  of  alco- 
hol. 

Another.  Clean  and  dry  the  part  affected.  Then 
rub  on  it.  well  into  the  hair,  some  good  common  house 
soap,  and  dry  it  in  with  a  hot  iron,  but  not  so  hot  as  to 
burn.  Try  this  three  mornings,  and  if  a  cure  be  not 
effected,  repeat  it.    It  is  perfectly  safe. 

SCRATCHES,  OR  SELENDERS. 

A  disorder  between  the  hinder  pastern  joints  and 
hoofs,  consisting  of  cracks,  soreness,  with  suppuration. 
It  is  most  troublesome  in  spring,  while  the  roads  are 
muddy,  which  obstructs  the  perspiration  of  the  parts, 
together  with  snow-water,  which  is  very  unfavorable. 

Remedy.  As  a  preventive  or  cure,  cut  off  the  hair 
close,  and  wash  the  legs  in  strong  soap-suds  or  urine. 
Washing  in  warm  vinegar,  saturated  with  salt,  will  be 
an  additional  advantage.  In  severe  cases,  apply  for  a 
few  days  a  turnip  poultice,  with  a  small  quantity  of 
hog's  lard.  In  inveterate  cases,  a  run  at  grass  may  be 
the  only  remedy. 

Another.  "Wash  the  legs  in  warm,  strong  soap-suds, 
and  then  in  beef  brine. 

Another.  With  warm  soap-suds  wash  the  part 
affected,  and  with  a  cob  or  other  rough  substance  rub 


HORSES.  165 

off  all  scabs ;  then  apply  oil  or  hog's  lard  just  so  as  to 
moisten  the  skin ;  then  take  a  fine  powder  of  hemlock 
bark,  and  cover  the  parts  well  with  it ;  a  few  applica- 
tions will  effect  a  cure. 

DISEASES  OF  THE   FEET. 

Brittleness  of  Hoof  is  a  disease  arising  from  keep- 
ing the  hoof  too  dry;  though  it  is  a  natural  defect  in 
some  horses.  It  prevails  most  in  hot,  dry  weather,  and 
is  a  serious  inconvenience.  The  hoofs  chip  away  at 
every  shoeing,  until  at  last  there  is  scarcely  nail-hold, 
and  there  is  danger  of  pricking  the  horse.  For  this 
complaint,  stopping  is  commonly  used.  The  best  stop- 
ping is  cow  dung,  with  a  small  portion  of  clay  to  give  it 
consistency  and  tenacity.  Apply  it  to  the  soles  of  the 
feet  when  not  at  work.  But  the  following  liniment  is 
preferred.  Oil  or  spirits  of  tar,  one  pint ;  common  fish 
oil,  one  quart ;  mix  them  together.  When  the  horse 
comes  from  work,  cleanse  the  feet,  and  rub  this  liniment 
over  the  whole  crust  and  sole.  Brittleness  in  the  hoof 
would  be  prevented,  in  some  measure,  by  the  horse  stand- 
ing on  the  ground  instead  of  a  plank  floor. 

Saxd  Crack  is  a  longitudinal  crack  in  the  hoof,  the 
predisposing  cause  of  which  is  brittleness  of  hoof.  It  is 
most  common  on  the  inner  quarter  of  the  fore  foot,  that 
part  being  rather  weak,  and  liable  to  much  stress  and 
pressure.  But  in  the  hind  foot  it  is  the  most  frequent  at 
the  toe,  for  there  is  the  principal  stress  in  drawing. 

The  slightest  appearance  of  sand  crack  should  be 
attended  to.  It  begins  from  without,  and  penetrates 
inwardly,  and  may  be  arrested  in  its  progress,  when 
superficial.  Rasp  the  hoof;  if  done  in  season,  the  crack 
may  be  rasped  out.  If  it  proves  to  be  deep,  and  yet  no 
lameness,  the  foot  should  not  be  weaken  ?d  by  cutting  to 
the  bottom  of  the  fissure,  but  a  line  sh  ould  be  deeply 
drawn,  with  a  sharp  firing  iron,  above  and  below  it,  to 
prevent  its  spreading. 

If  lameness  attend  sand  crack,  the  fissure  has  pene- 
trated 'hrough  the  horn  to  the  sensible  parts,  and  either 
gravel  has  insinuated  itself,  and  is  giving  pain  by  its 


166  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

pressure,  or  a  portion  of  the  sensible  part  beneath  has 
protruded  itself  into  the  crack. 

The  (crack  must  be  searched  to  the  bottom,  the  sides 
must  be  pared  off  a  little,  and  then,  with  a  very  small 
drawing  knife,  the  fissure  must  be  opened  and  examined. 
When  the  dirt  or  gravel  is  removed,  a  piece  of  tow, 
dipped  in  balsam,  should  be  put  into  the  crack,  the  foot 
immersed  in  a  linseed  poultice  for  a  few  days,  and  a 
stimulating  liniment  rubbed  on  the  coronet,  to  encourage 
the  growth  of  horn. 

Split  Hoof  is  sometimes  occasioned  by  corking  when 
the  travelling  is  bad,  and  the  inconvenience  of  a  horse 
lying  idle  several  months  is  very  great.  A  case  is  re- 
ported of  two  horses  that  had  split  hoofs  from  corking, 
which  were  kept  constantly  in  the  team,  without  any 
signs  of  lameness.  The  blacksmith  bored  the  hoof  in 
two  places  on  each  side  the  split,  and  then  passed  nails 
through  the  holes,  and  clenched  them  tightly. 

On  this  point,  Sylvester  Staftor,  of  Thetford,  remarks 
as  follows,  in  the  Boston  Cultivator :  —  "1  had  a  horse 
that  had  a  split  hoof,  caused  by  being  corked  the  winter 
previous ;  it  had  become  a  cloven  hoof  on  the  outer  part, 
and  the  horse  was  very  lame.  I  met  one  of  my  neigh- 
bors on  the  road,  and  he  observed  that  my  horse  was 
lame ;  he  took  his  jack-knife  and  cut  through  the  soft 
hough,  a  little  above  the  crack,  a  cross  slit,  extending 
three  fourths  of  an  inch  each  way.  I  kept  it  soft  with 
stimulating  ointments,  and  as  soon  as  a  new  hoof  could 
grow,  it  was  as  good  as  any  other.  Rattlesnake's  oil  is 
one  of  the  best  ointments." 

To  Make  the  Hoofs  Tough.  "Wash  them  frequently 
in  brine,  and  turn  up  the  feet,  and  turn  brine  upon 
the  bottoms,  and  soak  them  a  few  minutes.  This 
will  make  the  feet  tough,  and  prevent  brittleness  in 
the  hoof.  A  correspondent  of  the  Western  Farmer  and 
Gardener,  tried  this,  on  the  recommendation  of  an  old 
Kentuckian  teamster,  and  it  relieved  his  horse  from 
stiffness  in  the  joints,  and  his  hard,  brittle  hoofs  became 
soft  and  tough,  and  he  drove  him  fourteen  hundred  miles 
♦without  further  trouble. 

Some  regard  water  as  the  best  application  to  keep  the 


HORSES.  167 

hoof  soft  and  in  good  condition.  It  will  penetrate  the 
hoof  better  than  oil,  and  other  oleaginous  preparations 
for  this  purpose.  In  warm  weather,  moisten  the  feet 
often  in  water. 

Hoof-Bound.  The  hoofs  are  dry  and  hard,  and  con- 
tracted at  the  top  so  as  to  pinch  the  quick,  and  prevent  a 
free  circulation. 

Remedy.  Keep  the  hoof  cool  and  moist,  as  a  preven- 
tive ;  and  for  a  cure,  open  the  hoof  a  little  at  the  edge  of 
the  hair,  that  it  may  spread.  Then  grease  it  daily  with 
any  soft  grease,  such  as  that  of  woodehucks,  skunks, 
dogs,  or  geese. 

Wash  for  the  Hoofs.  The  following  wash  is  excel- 
lent for  softening  and  toughening  the  hoofs  :  —  Spirits 
of  turpentine,  four  ounces ;  tar,  four  ounces ;  whale- 
oil,  eight  ounces ;  mix,  and  brush  over  the  hoofs  often. 


This  is  a  disease  of  the  frog  of  the  foot.  At  first 
there  is  a  discharge  from  the  cleft  of  this  protuberance. 
It  is  caused  by  frequent,  long  continued,  and  extensive 
apphcation  of  moisture.  A  plethoric  state  of  the  body  is 
a  predisposing  cause  ;  but  too  much  water  is  the  princi- 
pal cause. 

It  is  sometimes  produced  by  standing  constantly  in 
moist  dung.  Stopping,  or  frequent  wetting  the  feet  in 
water,  as  a  remedy  for  brittle  hoofs,  when  carried  to  the 
extreme,  will  produce  thrush. 

If  thrush  be  neglected,  it  spreads,  affecting  the  whole 
foot.  The  horn  becomes  ragged  and  irregular ;  the  frog 
shrinks,  and  the  foot  contracts.  The  horse  is  disposed 
to  go  on  his  toes  to  favor  his  heels.  Rut  generally,  he 
shows  no  lameness  until  the  disease  is  much  advanced, 
except  when  the  frog  comes  on  a  stone,  or  is  pressed  in 
rough  or  deep  ground. 

Preventive.  To  prevent  thrush  in  feet  predisposed  to 
it,  keep  the  frog  dry ;  and  if  the  sole  needs  moisture, 
stopping  may  be  applied,  first  covering  the  frog  in  pitch. 

Remedy.  Clean  thoroughly  the  cleft  of  the  frog,  and 
all  the  moist  crevices,  and  fill  them  with  pledgets  of  tow 
dipped  in  warm  tar,  every  day,  and  keep  the  foot  dry. 


i 


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c  Jj  5 


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169 


NEAT  CATTLE. 

The  lettered  engraving  on  the  left,  with  the  explanS' 
tion,  shows  the  terms  usually  used  in  designating  the 
principal  external  points  and  parts  of  cattle.  The  figure 
represents  the  short-horned  Durham  breed,  remarkable 
for  depth  in  the  breast  and  large  fore  quarters.  It  is 
also  distinguished  for  large  size  and  early  maturity.  It 
differs  materially  from  the  following  description,  in  re- 
gard to  the  size  of  the  fore  and  hind  quarters. 

MARES  OF  A  GOOD  MILCH  COW. 

John  Brooks,  Esq.,  of  Princeton,  who  pays  particular 
attention  to  raising  cows,  selecting  such  calves  as  have 
the  best  marks  for  this  purpose,  has  favored  us  with  the 
following  description  of  a  good,  native,  milch  Com : 

u  Head  and  face  rather  long ;  muzzle  small ;  eyes 
prominent,  bright,  and  mild ;  forehead,  between  the  horns, 
narrow ;  wide  between  the  eyes  5  horns  rather  long,  small, 
oval  shaped,  and  wax  colored ;  smaller  near  the  head 
than  three  or  four  inches  from  it ;  neck  slim  and  flat. 
not  approaching  to  round ;  on  leaving  the  shoulders, 
the  neck  should  fall  a  little  below  the  line  of  the  back  • 
straight  on  the  back ;  wide  in  the  loin  ;  the  outlines  of 
the  loin  should  be  nearly  parallel ;  thigh  should  be  thin  ; 
hind  legs  straight  and  small,  standing  wide  apart ;  in 
walking,  the  cow  should  carry  her  hind  legs  straight 
forward,  not  sling  them  out,  describing  the  segment  of 
a  circle ;  fore  leg,  above  the  knee,  should  be  rather  large ; 
below  the  knee,  small,  approaching  to  round ;  foot  rather 
large  than  small,  but  round,  and  of  a  dark  wax  color ; 
Dreast  wide,  brisket  projecting  well  forward ;  milk  veins 
large ;  deep  in  the  flank ;  large  hind  quarters,  and  small 
fore  quarters ;  bag,  when  empty,  small  and  skinny,  not 
fleshy,  running  well  forward  on  to  the  belly;  teats 
middling  size,  neither  large  nor  small,  but  ratheT  long 
and  elastic ;  color  of  teats  reddish  brown,  never  white  ; 
hair  upon  the  bag  soft,  short  and  silky,  growing  or 
15 


170  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

pointing  on  the  hind  part  upward,  except  if  ;  he  be  a 
very  good  cow,  she  may  have  an  oval  spot  of  hair  grow- 
ing downward,  a  little  above  each  hind  teat ;  if  not  quite 
so  good,  one  spot  above  the  left  hind  teat ;  if  a  little 
poorer  still,  one  spot  above  the  right  hind  teat;  hair 
thick,  short  and  glossy ;  color  red,  dun,  or  brindle,  with 
a  light,  golden  colored  ring  around  the  eyes  and  muzzle." 

MARKS   OF   A   GOOD  WORKING   OX. 

Mr.  Asa  G.  Sheldon,  of  "Wilmington,  who  has  great 
experience  in  cattle,  particularly  in  working  oxen,  and 
is  regarded  as  the  best  authority,  gives  the  following : 

"  Long  head,  broad  and  oval  between  the  eyes ;  the 
eye  full,  keen  and  pleasant.  Such  marks  denote  ability 
to  receive  instruction  and  a  readiness  to  obey.  The 
short-faced  ox  starts  quick  at  the  whip,  and  soon  forget? 
it.  The  black-eyed  ox  is  inclined  to  run  away.  An  ox 
with  very  large  horns  near  the  head  is  apt  to  be  lazy, 
and  he  cannot  endure  heat  well. 

"  Forward  legs  straight ;  toes  straight  forward ;  hoof 
broad,  not  piked ;  the  distance  short  between  the  ankle 
and  knee.  These  properties  enable  an  ox  to  travel  on 
pavements  and  hard  ground.  If  the  ox  toes  out,  the 
strain  comes  on  the  inside  claw,  and  when  travelling  on 
a  hard  road,  he  will  be  lame  at  the  joint  between  the 
hoof  and  the  hair.  When  the  toes  turn  out,  the  knees 
bend  in.  An  ox  with  crooked  knees  is  apt  to  become 
lame  by  holding  heavy  loads  down  hill. 

"Breast  full;  straight  on  the  back;  round  ribs,  pro- 
jecting out  as  wide  as  the  hip  bones.  These  are  indica- 
tions of  strength  and  a  good  constitution." 

TO  ASCERTAIN  THE  AGE  OF  CATTLE. 

By  their  Teeth.  The  calf  is  usually  born  with  two 
fore  or  cutting  teeth,  and  at  a  month  old  the  whole  eight 
are  cut.  The  age  is  then  guessed  at  by  the  wearing 
down  of  these  teeth,  until  the  calf  is  eight  months  old, 
when  they  begin  to  become  narrower  and  smaller.  At 
eight  months  the  two  centre  teeth  are  smaller  than  the 


NEAT    CATTLE.  171 

rest ;  and  from  that  time  until  eighteen  months,  the 
others  gradually  diminish,  until  the  whole  are  consid- 
erably lessened,  and  stand  apart  from  each  other. 

At  two  years  old,  the  two  middle  teeth  are  pushed  out, 
and  succeeded  by  two  permanent  ones ;  at  three,  there 
are  four  permanent  teeth ;  six  at  four  years ;  and  all 
the  eight  at  five,  when  the  animal  is  said  to  be  full- 
mouthed  ;  but  he  is  not  actually  so  until  six  years  old, 
when  all  the  eight  are  level. 

A  good  judge  of  cattle  will  generally  determine  the 
age  with  considerable  accuracy  for  many  years  after 
that.  From  six  to  nine,  he  will  be  guided  by  the  wear- 
ing down  of  the  teeth  ;  and  after  that,  by  the  diminution 
in  their  bulk,  as  in  the  milk  teeth.  At  nine,  the  two 
middle  fore  teeth  are  evidently  smaller  and  narrower 
than  the  rest ;  at  ten,  the  two  next  are  so ;  and  so  on 
until  twelve,  when,  as  in  the  steer  of  two  years  old,  the 
teeth  again  begin  to  stand  singularly  apart  from  each 
other. 

By  their  Horns.  The  surface  of  the  horn  continues 
nearly  smooth  until  the  expiration  of  the  second  year, 
when  a  wrinkle  or  circle  of  thicker  horn  begins  to  be 
formed  around  the  base.  This  is  fully  completed  in  a 
twelvemonth,  and  another  ring  then  begins  to  appear, 
so  that  if  the  perfect  rings  or  circles  are  counted,  and 
two  added  to  them,  the  age  of  the  beast  is  ascertained. 

These  rings,  however,  are  not  always  clear  and  dis- 
tinct, and  it  is  very  easy  to  remove  one  or  two  of  them 
with  a  rasp,  at  least  to  the  unpractised  eye,  when  the 
animal  begins  to  be  too  old  for  the  market.  In  addition 
to  this,  a  well-known  fact  should  be  stated,  that  if  a 
heifer  has  a  calf  when  about  two  years  old,  the  first 
ring  is  formed  about  a  twelvemonth  before  the  usual 
time,  and,  consequently,  she  would  always  appear  to  be, 
reckoning  by  her  horns,  a  year  older  than  she  really  is. 


172  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


TRAINING. 

We  have  already  treated  on  this  subject,  under  "  Ani- 
mals" and  "  Horses."  The  remarks  on  taming  and  train- 
nig  horses,  in  their  leading  principles,  are  applicable  to 
cattle,  showing  the  importance  of  subduing  by  gentleness 
rather  than  by  harshness  and  force ;  they  also  show  the 
great  importance  of  exercising  common  sense  in  this  busi- 
ness. 

We  have  found,  from  experience  and  observation,  that 
by  far  the  best  time  to  train  steers  is  when  they  are 
calves,  the  first  winter.  A  person  can  then  manage 
them  with  ease,  and  put  them  under  good  discipline, 
and  they  will  never  forget  it.  When  a  boy,  we  trained 
calves  the  first  winter,  so  that  they  were  completely 
handy,  and  would  take  as  large  a  load  for  their  size  as  a 
pair  of  oxen.  Let  this  be  done  by  a  person  of  discretion, 
and  not  allow  boys  who  were  never  trained  themselves 
to  do  this  by  way  of  a  frolic. 

In  the  neighborhood  where  we  resided,  a  pair  of  calves 
was  raised  on  a  small  farm,  where  some  seven  or  eight 
tons  of  hay  were  cut,  and  a  few  acres  of  land  tilled,  and 
no  oxen  "kept.  The  first  winter,  these  calves  were 
worked  by  boys  of  moderation  and  good  judgment. 
They  hauled  all  the  wood  for  the  family,  which  was  no 
small  amount,  as  it  was  for  an  old-fashioned  fireplace. 
They  also  carried  grain  to  mill,  about  four  miles.  The 
next  spring,  they  were  furnished  with  cart  and  wheels 
suited  to  their  size,  and  hauled  out  the  manure,  hauled 
in  the  hay  and  other  crops,  hauled  fencing,  &c.,  and 
from  that  time  did  most  of  the  work  on  the  farm  ;  they 
proved  to  be  a  superior  pair  of  oxen,  and  at  seven  years 
of  age,  they  were  sold  at  a  high  price,  considerably 
above  the  value  of  any  other  pair  of  oxen  in  the  vicinity. 

We  should  no  more  think  of  allowing  cattle  and 
horses  to  go  three  or  four  years  without  training,  than 
allowing  children  to  run  wild,  wayward,  and  ignorant, 
until  fifteen  or  sixteen  years  old,  before  being  trained 
or  educated.  Illustration.  —  An  old  gentleman  threat- 
ened his  son,  a  big  boy,  for  disobedience.     "  Could  you 


NEAT    CATTLE.  173 

once  bend  that  tree,  yonder  ? "  said  the  son  to  the  father. 
"  Yes,  with  the  greatest  ease."  "  Can  you  bend  it  now  ?  " 
"  No,  I  cannot  move  it."  "  Neither  can  you  move  this 
chap ! "  retorted  the  son. 

On  this  subject,  Mr.  Sheldon  remarks,  that  the  best 
pair  of  oxen  he  ever  knew  were  trained  before  'they 
were  six  months  old,  and  that  cattle  that  are  trained 
early  are  worth  twenty -five  per  cent,  more  for  hard 
labor  than  those  that  are  grown  before  they  are  broken. 
In  learning  cattle  to  back,  he  strikes  them  on  the  nose 
with  the  hands,  instead  of  a  stick. 

If  steers  or  oxen  are  sullen,  and  lie  down,  and  refuse 
to  move,  do  not  strike  them,  but  place  the  palms  of  your 
hands  tight  upon  their  nostrils,  and  stop  their  breath. 
In  this  way,  we  have  started  them  up  more  suddenly 
than  it  can  be  done  by  whip  or  goad. 

If  steers  run  away,  do  not  thrash  them,  as  this  will 
induce  them  to  run  the  faster  next  time  ;  but  feed  them 
with  a  few  nubs  of  corn,  or  something  else  that  is  good, 
and  treat  them  kindly. 

We  once  noticed  that  a  teamster,  who  was  offended 
with  the  nigh  ox,  in  unyoking  him,  took  out  the  bow  as 
easily  as  possible,  and  then  with  the  bow  gave  him  a 
sudden  and  violent  blow.  For  a  long  time  after,  that  ox 
would  start  suddenly,  as  soon  as  the  bow  was  out  of  the 
yoke,  knocking  away  the  yoke,  frightening  the  other 
ox,  and  sometimes  nearly  knocking  over  the  teamster. 
This  shows  the  effect  of  bad  management  in  producing 
bad  habits. 

The  charge  of  stupidity  and  tardiness  that  is  often 
made  against  cattle  is  unfounded,  or  must  result  from 
want  of  training  and  good  usage,  so  as  to  call  out  their 
natural  instincts,  faculties,  and  powers.  The  Hot- 
tentots use  oxen  in  the  saddle,  and  train  them  to  war, 
and  they  make  terrible  havoc  among  the  enemy.  They 
are  also  used  as  dogs,  to  guard  flocks  and  herds,  which 
they  faithfully  perfonn,  caressing  friends,  and  attacking 
enemies  with  great  rage  If  trained  to  the  purpose,  prop- 
erly fed,  and  never  over-worked  nor  heavily  loaded,  cat- 
tle would  travel  fast,  instead  of  their  usual  slow  motion. 
In  Africa,  they  generally  travel  on  a  trot,  and  frequently 
16* 


174  DISEASES   OF   ANIMALS. 

go  four  or  five  miles  an  hour.  In  India,  they  often  per- 
form journeys  of  sixty  successive  days,  at  thirty  to  forty 
miles  a  day.  A  Sussex  ox  ran  four  miles,  at  the  rate  of 
fifteen  miles  an  hour.  A  calf  will  run  as  fast  as  a  colt. 
We  have  often  found  their  speed  sufficient,  when  we 
have'  attempted  to  catch  them. 

FOOD. 

We  have  treated  more  particularly  of  food  under  the 
head  "  Horses,"  and  the  remarks  there  as  to  quality  of 
food,  its  condition  and  preparation,  and  effects,  will 
generally  apply  to  other  animals,  but  the  horse,  from 
more  violent  exertion,  and  greater  exposure  to  the  ex- 
tremes of  heat  and  cold,  is  more  affected  by  food  of  an 
unfavorable  nature. 

GREEN    HERBAGE. 

The  grasses  are  the  principal  food  of  cattle  during  the 
warm  season.  It  is  superior  for  milch  cows,  growing 
animals,  and  for  fatting  or  idle  animals  ;  and  it  answers 
very  well  for  working  cattle,  when  at  moderate  labor. 
Cows  feeding  on  grass  alone,  and  having  a  good  supply 
of  the  best  quality,  produce  the  largest  quantity  and  the 
best  quality  of  milk,  especially  in  June,  when  grasses 
are  in  their  prime.  There  is  a  variety  of  grasses  in  our 
pastures ;  the  clovers  are  superior.  They  flourish  well 
in  new  lands,  but  decline  in  old  pastures  that  are  neg- 
lected. 

Rye  is  used  for  early  feed,  before  grass  starts,  both 
for  soiling  and  for  pasturage.  Orchard  grass  starts 
rather  early  in  spring.  When  pastures  fail  in  the  latter 
part  of  summer,  green  corn  fodder  is  given  to  cattle  to 
supply  the  deficiency.  It  is  raised  to  considerable  extent 
for  milch  cows.  With  but  little  labor,  great  crops  are 
raised,  which  make  excellent  feed.  We  have  credible 
accounts  of  thirty  or  forty  tons  of  green  food  to  the  acre. 
Southern  corn  is  generally  used,  from  its  luxuriant 
growth ;  but  Chinese  Tree  corn  is  best,  and  next  to  this 
the  sweet  corn. 


NEAT    CATTLE.  175 


DRY    HERBAGE. 

Hay  is  the  principal  dry  herbage  for  cattle.  Herds 
grass,  with  a  small  portion  of  clover  and  red-top,  is  the 
best  for  oxen  at  hard  labor.  It  is  good  for  cows ,-  but 
clover,  timely  cut,  and  well  saved,  is  a  superior  fodder 
for  milch  cows,  young  cattle,  and  sheep.  We  have 
found,  by  experiments,  that  herds  grass,  cut  about  a 
week  after  it  is  in  blossom,  when  the  seed  is  about  full, 
is  preferred  by  cattle,  in  a  long  run ;  gives  the  greatest 
weight,  affords  the  most  nutriment,  and  is  better  for 
working  oxen  than  when  cut  at  any  other  time.  Some 
cut  it  in  blossom,  for  cows. 

Straw  of  various  kinds  is  good  food  for  a  spare  diet, 
and  with  grain,  meal,  or  roots,  it  is  good  for  store  cattle. 
Straw  and  hay  are  better  for  all  kinds  of  stock  for  being 
cut.     [See  page  97.] 

Corn  fodder  is  excellent  for  cattle  ;  and  when  there  is 
a  prospect  of  a  light  crop  of  hay,  it  is  in  season  to  raise 
this  crop.  An  acre  of  good  land  will  yield  six  tons  of 
dry  fodder.  If  it  be  large,  it  should  be  cut,  to  prevent 
waste. 

GRAIN,  MEAL,  &C 

Indian  corn  and  meal  is  the  principal  grain  fed  to 
working  oxen.  It  is  far  better  for  all  kinds  of  stock  for 
being  ground,  as  it  is  more  readily  digested,  and  affords 
more  nutriment.  It  is  used  in  stall  feeding.  It  is  too 
rich  for  milch  cows,  excepting  in  a  small  way.  It  is  best 
to  grind  the  corn  and  cob  together ;  as  there  will  be  more 
bulk.  Corn  alone,  is  too  rich.  Cobs  contain  some 
nutriment,  as  appears  from  their  producing  alcohol. 
Those  who  will  not  allow  the  chemist's  test,  must  meet 
the  irrefutable  argument  of  the  case  of  the  old  lady, 
who,  in  a  scarcity  of  hay,  kept  her  cow  in  fine  condition 
mostly  on  boiled  cobs. 

Oil  meal  and  flaxseed,  in  quite  small  quantities,  are 
excellent  for  cattle,  and  all  animals  of  hard  tallow ;  but 
for  animals  of  soft  fat,  as  swine  and  poultry,  they  are 
not  good. 


176  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


Roots  are  valuable  for  cattle,  as  they  answer  admira- 
bly the  place  of  succulent  food,  for  want  of  which  ani- 
mals often  suffer  in  winter,  being  confined  to  dry  fodder, 
which  produces  costiveness  and  various  diseases.  Roots 
have  a  slight  laxative  effect,  and  keep  the  bowels  in  fine 
condition,  and  guard  against  diseases  of  almost  every 
description,  during  our  long  and  trying  winters.  They 
keep  young  cattle  in  a  thrifty  condition ;  produce  in 
cows  nearly  as  much  and  as  good  milk  as  on  grass ;  a 
few  are  excellent  for  working  oxen,  and  fine  beef  may 
be  made  on  roots  alone.  We  have  fatted  young  cattle 
on  ruta-bagas  as  fast  as  hogs  fatten  on  the  best  of  food. 
Roots  may  be  raised,  in  dry  seasons,  to  supply  a  defi- 
ciency in  hay. 

MANAGING   AND   FEEDING   WORKING   OXEN. 

We  quote  again  from  Mr.  Sheldon,  who  excels  as  a 
teamster.  The  following  is  from  the  Yankee  Farmer  :  — 
"  Oxen,  working  on  a  stone-drag,  on  the  foot  of  a  plough, 
on  the  sled-tongue,  cart-spire,  or  twitching  stones  or  tim- 
ber, should  carry  their  heads  well  up,  as  this  will  enable 
them  to  do  this  work  much  easier.  Those  that  work  as 
leaders  forward  of  other  oxen  should  carry  their  heads 
low. 

"  Feed  regularly ;  ha\re  the  yoke  the  right  length. 
Let  the  bows  suit  the  neck.  The  yoke  and  bows  to  the 
leaders  should  set  a  little  snugger  than  to  the  nib  oxen. 
Never  use  the  whip  but  from  necessity.  When  about  to 
strike  the  young  steer  or  ox,  ask  yourself,  '  Will  he  know 
what  I  strike  him  for  ? '  Let  each  ox  have  a  name,  and 
be  sure  that  he  knows  his  name.  Never  speak  a  word 
to  an  ox  without  meaning.  Have  a  particular  word  to 
start  your  team  by,  that  all  may  haul  together.  Never 
hurry  your  oxen  while  you  are  riding  behind  them,  lest 
they  learn  to  haul  apart. 

"  Oxen  should  be  shod  with  a  broad  shoe.  To  travel 
on  a  hard  road,  the  shoe  on  the  fore  feet  should  be  set 
back,  at  the  heel,  nearly  half  an  inch  further  than  the 


NEAT    CATTLE.  177 

hoof  bears  upon  it.     Oxen  are  frequently  lame  by  reason 
of  short  shoes. 

"  The  best  feed  for  oxen  at  hard  work  is  to  give  to 
each  ox  two  quarts  of  meal  wet,  mixed  with  good 
chopped  hay,  three  times  a  day,  and  as  much  hay  as  he 
will  eat.  This  is  the  highest  feed  working  oxen  ought 
to  have,  and  on  this,  they  will  work  ten  hours  a  day. 
[Eight  hours  is  enough,  long  followed.]  A  portion  of 
rye  with  Indian  meal  is  better  than  all  Indian.  Farmers 
who  do  not  work  their  oxen  hard,  need  not  give  them  so 
much  meal." 

j     FEEDING  AND  MANAGING  MILCH  COWS. 

The  grasses,  particularly  the  clovers,  are  the  best  sum- 
mer feed.  "When  these  begin  to  fail,  the  deficiency  may 
be  supplied  by  green  corn,  which  is  very  sweet,  and  pro- 
duces a  large  quantity  of  milk,  of  excellent  quality. 
The  tops  of  beets,  carrots,  parsnips,  and  cabbage  and 
turnip  leaves,  are  good.  Pumpkins,  apples,  and  roots, 
may  be  fed  as  the  feed  fails.  Give  only  a  few  at  first, 
especially  apples,  and  gradually  increase. 

Roots  are  of  great  importance  when  cows  are  kept 
on  dry  fodder.  Potatoes,  carrots,  beets,  turnips,  pars- 
nips, artichokes,  and  vegetable  oysters,  are  good.  The 
_ast  three  and  cabbage  turnip  keep  good,  in  the  ground, 
through  the  winter,  and  are  fresh  and  fine  in  the  spring, 
before  the  grass  starts. 

Potatoes  produce  a  great  flow  of  milk,  but  it  is  not 
very  rich.  A  little  Indian  meal  is  good  with  them,  to 
keep  up  the  flesh  and  give  richness  to  the  milk;  and 
this  is  the  case  with  beets  and  most  kinds  of  turnips,  as 
they  tend  largely  to  milk.  A  little  oil  meal  or  flaxseed 
is  excellent,  in  addition  to  the  Indian  meal,  to  keep  up  a 
fine,  healthy  condition,  and  impart  a  rich  quality  to  the 
milk,  and  gives  a  lively  gloss  to  the  hair  of  cattle,  and 
softness  and  pliancy  to  the  skin. 

In  all  cases  of  high  feeding  in  winter,  particularly 
when  cows  have  but  few  roots,  shorts  or  bran  are  excel- 
lent to  promote  digestion  and  keep  the  bowels  open. 
.Three  pints  each  of  oil  meal  and  Indian  meal,  or  two 


178  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

quarts  of  one  and  one  quart  of  the  other,  is  as  high  feed 
in  these  articles,  as  cows  should  ever  have.  On  shorts, 
bran  and  roots,  they  may  be  fed  liberally.  Four  quarts 
of  Indian  meal,  in  a  long  run,  will  dry  up  and  spoil  the 
best  of  cows,  so  that  they  will  never  recover. 

Carrots  are  among  the  very  best  roots  for  milch  cows, 
producing  a  good  but  not  very  great  mess  of  rich  milk, 
and  keeping  the  cow  in  good  health.  Parsnips  are  nearly 
the  same.  Ruta-bagas  are  rather  rich,  and  keep  up  the 
condition.  To  prevent  any  unpleasant  taste  in  the  milk 
from  feeding  turnips,  use  salt  freely  on  them,  and  milk 
night  and  morning  before  feeding  with  turnips.  Cab- 
bage turnip,  (or  turnip-rooted-cabbage-below-ground,) 
has  no  such  effect.  It  resembles  ruta-baga,  is  raised  in 
•.he  same  way,  and  yields  as  much  or  more. 

Some  keep  cows  in  the  barn,  by  night,  in  the  warm 
season.  They  are  saved  from  storms,  and  more  manure 
is  saved.  There  should  be  good  ventilation  in  hot 
weather.  Cows  are  much  better  for  being  kept  in  the 
barn  nearly  all  the  time  in  cold  weather.  To  drink 
freely  of  cold  water,  and  then  stand  out  half  chilled  to 
death,  is  highly  injurious.  But  they  should  go  out  a 
little  while  daily,  in  favorable  weather,  and  be  driven 
around  gently,  for  exercise.  Inaction  is  death  to  all  the 
animal  race.     [See  page  20.] 

Cows  and  other  cattle  are  generally  badly  managed. 
They  are  not  watered,  in  short  days,  until  ten  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  and  their  last  chance  for  drinking  is  about 
four  in  the  evening.  Thus  they  go  sixteen  hours  with 
out  drink,  and  during  that  time  they  take  nearly  all 
their  food,  which  is  as  dry  as  a  husk.  They  suffer  to 
a  great  degree  from  thirst,  and  then  drink  to  excess. 
As  a  remedy,  give  cattle  a  part  of  their  breakfast  only, 
and  then  water  them,  and  water  again  after  finishing 
their  morning  meal ;  and  if  kept  up,  water  at  noon, 
and  again  at  night.  If  it  be  too  much  trouble  to  take 
good  care  of  stock,  then  keep  less,  and  they  will  be  as 
productive  and  more  profitable,  if  well  managed.  "We 
have  fed  sheep  that  had  constant  access  to  water  within 
eight  or  nine  rods,  and  after  eating  thirty  or  forty 
minutes  in  the  morning,  they  would  all  go  and  drink. 


NEAT   CATTLE.  179 

Milcn  cows  are  injured  by  being  driven  far  to  pasture, 
especially  in  hot  weather,  and  still  more  if  hurried  by 
thoughtless  boys. 

SOILING. 

In  soiling  cattle,  they  are  kept  up  or  in  a  yard  most 
of  the  time,  and  they  are  fed  on  green  herbage,  which  is 
cut  and  carried  to  them,  such  as  rye  for  early  feeding, 
and  grass  in  its  season,  and  when  that  fails,  corn  stalks, 
&c.  This  system  is  best  adapted  to  sections  where  land 
is  high  and  pasturage  scarce.  The  advantages  are,  dis- 
pensing with  interior  fences,  making  more  manure, 
keeping  more  stock  on  the  same  land,  getting  a  larger 
mess  of  milk,  and  having  animals  always  at  hand.  The 
disadvantages  are,  the  trouble  of  cutting  and  carrying 
the  feed,  inferiority  in  milk  when  the  feed  is  rank  and 
luxuriant,  and  from  want  of  exercise  and  pure  air,  unless 
particular  attention  be  given  to  this  subject,  and  greater 
liability  of  cattle  to  disease  from  the  causes  just  named. 

Some,  in  soiling,  keep  their  cattle  in  the  barn  most  of 
the  time  ;  others  allow  them  to  run  out  in  the  yard  most 
of  the  day,  and  in  other  cases  they  have  a  range  for  a 
few  hours,  or  half  a  day,  in  a  barren  lot,  or  one  of  short 
feed.  Mr.  George  E.  Adams,  of  Medford,  who  keeps 
forty  or  fifty  cows,  and  is  a  very  skilful  manager,  and 
feeds  highly,  soils  a  part  of  his  cows,  and,  in  addition  to 
green  food,  gives  them  a  little  salt  hay,  chopped,  and 
gives  to  twenty  cows,  daily,  fifty  pounds  of  Indian  meal, 
oil  meal,  and  shorts,  in  equal  quantities  in  bulk.  Soiled 
cattle  in  the  yard  or  in  a  lot,  should  be  protected  from 
the  hot  sun  by  sheds  or  trees. 

GENERAL  MANAGEMENT. 

Keep  cattle  at  all  times  in  a  comfortable  condition, 
free  from  undue  exposure  to  cold,  wet,  heat,  or  other 
evils.  Supply  them  with  a  suitable  quantity  of  food, 
and  of  a  quality  suited  to  their  condition  and  occupa- 
tion. So  various  are  the  circumstances  under  which 
cattle  for  different  purposes  are  placed,  that  there  should 


ISO  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

be  a  great  difference,,  not  only  in  the  quality,  bat  also  in 
the  quantity  of  food.  Some  are  idle,  while  others  are  at 
hard  labor.  Some  give  a  bounteous  supply  of  milk,  or 
produce  young,  while  others  are  unproductive  m  every 
respect. 

Give  cattle  a  good  supply  of  salt ;  but  let  them  judge 
of  this,  and  not  put  much  on  their  food,  and  compel  them 
to  eat  too  much  for  the  sake  of  food.  This  is  the  case 
when  hay  is  salted  liberally.  Four  or  five  quarts  to  a 
ton  is  enough.  If  the  cattle  need  more,  let  them  have  it 
by  itself.  Give  them  a  plenty  of  pure  water,  and  let 
them  be  so  situated  when  sheltered  that  they  can  have 
a  good  supply  of  pure  air;  they  need  much,  as  their 
lungs  are  capacious.  Close  air  will  injure  the  quality 
of  the  milk,  as  well  as  injure  health. 

In  cold  weather,  keep  cattle  well  sheltered,  and  in 
houses  that  are  usually  well  ventilated,  but  which  may 
be  made  warm  in  cold  weather ;  and  in  mild  weather, 
open  them  for  a  supply  of  fresh  air ;  but  do  not  let  a 
strong  breeze  blow  directly  upon  them.  Do  not  allow 
cattle  to  lie  out  nights  in  the  spring  until  the  weather 
and  ground  are  warm,  nor  in  the  fall  after  the  nights 
become  cool ;  and  in  the  warm  season,  cows,  and  oxen 
at  the  time  of  laboring,  should  be  sheltered  during 
stormy  nights. 

REARING   CALVES. 

The  least  troublesome  way  of  rearing  calves  is  to  let 
them  take  a  natural  course,  and  suck  until  old  enough 
to  wean,  which,  if  economy  be  regarded  as  to  milk,  is 
when  they  are  about  two  months  old.  If  a  cow  gives  a 
good  mess,  a  calf  will  do  well  on  half  the  milk  by  having 
clover  hay  or  grass,  when  a  few  weeks  old,  and  his  size 
requires  more  food.  But  some  who  have  a  favorite 
breed,  and  wish  to  make  a  large  calf  in  a  short  time, 
allow  him  to  suck  all  summer,  and  sometimes  two  cows, 
when  large  enough  to  require  so  much  food ;  and  this 
may  be  economy,  when  the  animal,  in  consequence  of 
liberal  feeding,  can  be  sold  at  a  high  price. 

When  milk  is  in  great  demand,  or  is  much  wanted  ia 


NEAT  CATTLE.  181 

the  family,  or  for  dairy  purposes,  calves  may  be  fed  on 
ccaWed  skimmed  milk,  thickened  with  meal,  given 
warm,  three  times  a  day.  It  is  better  for  the  calf  and 
cow  for  him  to  suck  one  or  two  days ;  then  learn  him  to 
drink  new  milk,  by  holding  the  hand  in  the  vessel  of 
milk,  and  turning  up  the  fingers  in  his  mouth.  Change 
gradually  to  porridge.    He  will  soon  learn. 

We  have  raised  calves  in  this  way  that  were  worth 
as  much  as  others  raised  on  pure  milk,  and  all  ran 
together.  Pure  milk  generally  gives  th%  best  growth 
while  sucking,  but  those  that  are  fed  may  be  weaned 
more  gradually,  and  are  less  affected  by  the  change. 
We  had  only  one  cow  that  calved  early,  and  we  bought 
another  calf,  and  two  pigs,  and  fed  all  four  on  the 
skimmed  milk,  and  had  milk  to  use  in  the  family,  and 
made  butter  enough  for  a  small  family  and  some  to  sell ; 
all  from  one  cow.     They  all  did  well,  very  well. 

We  have  been  told  that  hasty  pudding  (mush)  and 
milk  are  better  than  porridge.  In  artificial  feeding, 
keep  the  vessel  very  clean,  and  scald  it  out  often,  and 
let  it  dry,  and  have  the  milk  a  little  more  than  blood 
warm  when  first  given,  as  it  will  cool  a  little  before 
eaten.  If  calves  scour  badly,  give  a  mess  or  two  of 
new  milk ;  if  it  continue,  attend  to  the  remedies  recom- 
mended for  that  complaint ;  but  this  will  seldom  occur, 
if  the  following  directions  be  attended  to,  which  are 
necessary  under  any  course  of  feeding:  Keep  calves  in 
a  clean  pen,  throwing  in  earth  to  absorb  all  impurities, 
and  frequently  remove  and  renew  it.  Keep  by  them  a 
box  of  pure  yellow  earth,  and  some  wood  ashes,  and  a 
lump  of  chalk  to  lick ;  then  they  will  seldom  have  the 
scours. 

When  two  or  three  weeks  old,  give  them  a  little  sweet 
clover  hay,  if  they  do  not  have  access  to  grass ;  and  when 
three  or  four  weeks  old,  commence  giving  them  gradu- 
ally a  few  roots,  cut  fine  ;  carrots  are  best.  In  artificial 
feeding,  flax-seed  has  been  used  to  great  advantage  in 
making  fine  calves,  and  with  great  economy. 

The  Quality  of  Milk  for  Calves.  Cows  that  give  a 
large  quantity  of  milk  are  better  for  nursing  calves  than 
those  that  give  a  small  quantity  of  rich  milk.  There- 
16 


1S2  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

lore,  it  is  best  for  calves  to  suck  their  share  first,  when 
they  do  not  have  the  whole  from  the  cow,  as  the'last 
drawn  is  the  richest.  MUk  which  contains  a  large 
quantity  of  cream  is  apt  to  clog  the  stomachs  of  calves, 
and  this  obstruction  puts  an  end  to  their  thrift,  and  often 
proves  fatal.  Numerous  experiments  and  observations 
of  farmers  confirm  these  remarks. 

Calves  with  Sheep.  We  have  kept  calves  with  sheep, 
and  highly  approve  of  the  plan.  They  are  free  from 
lice ;  are  more  healthy  and  active.  The  sheep  eat  the 
fine  part  of  the  fodder,  and  calves  do  well  on  the  coarse, 
as  they  have  strong  powers  of  digestion.  The  dung  and 
urine  of  the  sheep,  dropped  on  the  fodder,  have  a  favor- 
able -effect;  they  even  possess  medicinal  virtues.  We 
have  had  calves  that  came  to  the  barn  late,  and  were 
poor  and  lousy,  and  they  would  not  move  out  of  the 
path ;  on  putting  them  with  sheep,  which  had  nothing 
but  water,  hay,  salt,  and  ashes  —  the  calves  the  same  — 
they  gained  in  two  or  three  months  so  that  we  could 
hardly  catch  them.  The  lice  disappeared  at  once. 
When  the  weather  was  fair,  they  ate  out  door  on  the 
snow,  with  the  sheep,  and  at  night  retired  to  the  shelter. 
Young  lambs  like  this  plan,  as  they  often  lay  on  the 
calves. 

THE   HAIR  AND   SKIN. 

The  hair  serves  as  a  protection  and  ornament ;  it  is 
supported  by  roots  in  the  skin.  The  appearance  of  the 
hair  and  feeling  of  the  skin  should  be  carefully  noted,  as 
they  indicate  health  or  sickness.  A  soft,  supple  skin, 
and  bright,  glossy  coat,  show  good  health,  and  a  dispo- 
sition to  thrive ;  but  a  hard,  dry  skin,  adhering  to  the 
ribs,  and  a  dull,  rough,  staring  coat,  indicate  something 
wrong,  and  that  fattening  is  out  of  the  question  till 
health  is  restored.  Let  the  eyelashes,  the  hairs  in  the 
ears  and  on  the  tail,  remain ;  they  were  made  for  good 
purposes. 


NEAT    CATTLE.  183 


PERSPIRATION. 

While  in  good  health,  a  fluid  is  constantly  passing 
from  the  surface  of  the  body.  No  small  portion  of  the 
food  and  drink  taken  by  the  animal  passes  off  in  this 
way.  Excepting  from  exercise  or  hot  weather,  this  is 
invisible,  and  is  called  insensible  perspiration ;  but 
from  great  exertion  and  heat,  it  increases,  and  rises  in 
visible  vapor,  and  runs  in  drops.  It  is  necessary  to 
health  that  considerable  perspiration  should  thus  escape. 
When,  from  colds  or  other  causes,  the  pores  of  the  skin 
are  closed,  and  perspiration  is  checked,  this  produces 
inflammation  of  the  lungs,  catarrh,  rheumatism,  or 
other  disorders  ;  and  it  is  by  turns  the  cause  and  conse- 
quence of  disease.  As  a  remedy,  guard  against  expo- 
sure ;  keep  the  skin  clean  and  well  rubbed,  and  promote 
health  in  every  respect. 

CURRYING  AND  FRICTION. 

On  the  utility  of  these  operations,  see  page  90 ;  also 
the  last  two  articles.  In  this  respect,  cattle,  excepting 
oxen,  are  generally  neglected  ;  but  cows  and  young  cat- 
tle, as  well  as  oxen,  would  be  far  more  comfortable  and 
healthy,  and  of  course  more  productive  to  the  owner,  for 
daily  rubbing  and  currying,  especially  when  confined  to 
the  barn.  These  operations  serve  the  same  purpose  to 
animals  as  washing  and  bathing  to  the  human  sys- 
tem. In  both  cases,  they  are  indispensable  to  health 
and  comfort. 

THE  PULSE. 

The  natural  pulse  of  the  full-grown  ox  is  fifty  to  fifty 
five  beats  in  a  minute.  But  it  is  some  quicker  in  milch 
cows,  particularly  towards  the  period  of  parturition.  A 
pulse  much  quicker  than  that  here  stated  denotes  fever 
or  inflammation,  while  one  much  slower  denotes  slug- 
gishness or  debility.  Yet  circumstances  are  to  be  con- 
sidered, as  the  pulse  is  quick  and  bounding  at  the  begin- 


184  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

ning  of  a  fever,  and  weak  when  the  fever  is  assuming  a 
putrid  form. 

ORGANS  OF  DIGESTION. 

Cattle  and  sheep  ruminate  or  chew  the  cud,  and  they 
have  four  stomachs.  After  the  food  is  chewed,  it  passes 
down  the  gullet  to  the  first  stomach,  paunch,  or  rumen, 
which  is  the  largest,  and  lies  on  the  left  side.  The  food, 
after  remaining  awhile  in  the  paunch,  and  becoming 
macerated,  is  forced  up  into  the  mouth  again,  in  small 
masses  or  cuds,  and  ruminated.  After  this  operation,  it 
is  swallowed  again,  and  passes  into  the  second  stomach 
or  reticulum.  The  gullet  ends  where  these  two  stom 
achs  meet,  and  the  animal  has  power,  in  a  great  meas- 
ure, to  direct  the  food  into  either.  This  peculiar  con- 
struction of  the  stomachs  gives  an  important  hint  on  the 
administration  of  medicine.     [See  next  article.] 

The  second  stomach  consists  of  a  great  number  of 
cells  on  the  inside,  resembling  honey-comb.  In  this  ibi 
food  is  further  prepared,  and  then  it  passes  to  the  third 
stomach,  manifold  or  maniplus. 

From  the  third  stomach  the  food  passes  into  the 
fourth,  called  the  red.  A  ruminating  animal  will  be 
satisfied  with  one  third  less  food  than  another  of  equal 
bulk  that  does  not  chew  the  cud.  The  reason  is  obvi- 
ous ;  as  ruminating  animals  have  many  and  strong 
digestive  powers,  and  a  greater  amount  of  nutriment  is 
taken  up  from  the  food. 

Calves  and  lambs  do  not  chew  the  cud  while  on  milk, 
which  descends  directly  to  the  fourth  stomach.  It  is  this 
stomach  of  the  calf,  with  the  milk  curdled  in  it,  that  is 
used  for  making  rennet.  The  most  favorable  time  to 
kill  the  calf  for  this  purpose  is  about  two  hours  after 
sucking.  After  the  food  leaves  the  stomach,  it  meets  with 
the  bile  secreted  by  the  liver  and  deposited  in  the  gall 
bladder,  which  further  prepares  it,  and  the  pancreas  or 
sweetbread,  and  spleen,  contribute  also  to  digestion.  As 
the  food  passes  along  the  intestines,  the  nutritious  part 
is  absorbed  by  vessels,  and  is  taken  up  in  the  circulation, 
and  carried  to  all  parts  of  the  body,  and  the  innutritions 
part  is  reduced  into  excrements,  and  expelled. 


NEAT    CATTLE.  185 


GIVING  MEDICINE   TO   RUMINANTS. 

All  medicines  given  to  ruminants,  or  cud-chewing 
animals,  of  a  nauseous  nature,  should  be  given  in  a  fluid 
form,  and  poured  slowly  and  gently  down  the  throat, 
holding  the  head  of  the  animal  no  higher  than  is  neces- 
sary to  prevent  the  liquid  from  running  out  of  the  mouth, 
and  leaving  the  tongue  free,  that  the  animal  may  have 
command  of  his  swallow.  If  medicines  are  given  in 
solid  form,  they  will  go  into  the  paunch,  and  if  nauseous, 
they  will  give  a  distaste  to  the  contents  of  the  stomach, 
and  prevent  rumination,  which  is  attended  with  danger. 
Therefore,  nauseous  medicines  should  not  be  given  in 
solid  form.  If  liquid  doses  are  given  to  arouse  the  first 
stomach  to  action,  or  to  abate  fermentation,  or  absorb 
gases  in  that  organ,  or  as  a  remedy  for  poisons,  turn 
them  down  suddenly,  and  then  they  will  be  more  likely 
to  enter  the  rumen.  But  the  surest  way  is  to  put  them 
down  through  a  tube  or  a  stomach-pump.  When  the 
paunch  is  not  affected  with  hove,  or  poison,  or  by  the 
animal's  eating  too  much  grain,  it  is  best  to  give  liquid 
medicines,  and  slowly,  that  they  may  pass  on  into  the 
other  stomachs  and  intestines,  and  produce  a  more 
speedy  action. 

FREE   MARTINS. 

When  a  cow  has  twins,  one  a  bull  calf,  and  the  other 
apparently  a  heifer  calf,  called  a  free  martin,  the  heifer, 
by  some  singular  law  of  nature,  limited  to  cattle  only, 
seldom  breeds.  It  was  long  positively  asserted,  that 
free  martins  never  breed,  but  we  have  heard  of  six  excep- 
tions. Several  distinguished  surgeons  have  examined 
into  this  singular  phenomena,  and  it  evidently  appears 
to  result  from  a  deficiency  in,  or  malformation  of,  the 
organs  of  generation. 

BOTS   IN    CATTLE. 

A  neighbor  gave  the  author  an  account  of  a  cow  that 
was  slaughtered  in  the  fall,  and  she  had  so  many  bots  in 
16* 


1S6  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

her  that  the  tripe  was  thrown  away.  That  cow,  in  the 
first  of  the  fall,  ran  with  a  horse,  and  she  was  frequently 
licking  him,  by  which  she  got  the  eggs  into  her  stomach 
that  produced  the  bots.  Another  case  of  the  same  kind 
occurred  with  a  steer  that  associated  with  a  horse. 

WARBLES,  OR   GRUBS   IN  THE   BACK. 

In  July  and  August,  the  CEstrus  hovis,  or  gadfly,  de- 
posits its  eggs  in  the  hide,  along  the  back  of  cattle.  In 
the  course  of  a  few  months,  the  grub  is  developed,  and 
remains  in  the  abscess  it  has  formed  in  the  skin  till  the 
spring  months,  when  it  escapes  from  its  residence,  bur- 
rows in  the  earth,  changes  to  a  perfect  insect,  and  then 
emerges,  to  pursue  the  course  of  its  parent.  The  head 
of  the  larva?  is  always  towards  the  bottom  of  the  cyst, 
and  the  respiratory  organs  are  near  the  tail,  and  of 
course  near  the  opening  in  the  skin. 

Some  suppose  that  warbles  do  not  interfere  with  the 
condition  of  the  animal,  and  the  butcher  regards  them 
as  a  proof  of  a  disposition  to  thrive.  But  the  effect  on 
the  hide  is  another  affair.  In  tanning,  the  holes  may 
seem  to  close.  Some  nice  observers  think  that  they 
cause  great  annoyance,  fever,  and  emaciation. 

When  the  grub  is  sufficiently  grown  to  have  its  place 
known,  a  little  corrosive  liquor  poured  into  the  hole  will 
destroy  it.  Perhaps  some  liniment,  or  other  substance 
that  will  not  injure  the  animal,  may  be  used  to  destroy 
the  grub.  Sometimes  it  may  be  pressed  out.  It  is  said 
that  strong  brine  will  destroy  them  in  any  stage.  When 
this  fly  attacks  a  herd  of  cattle,  they  will  stick  up  their 
tails,  and  run  as  though  possessed. 

LICE. 

Remedy.  Mix  lime  and  ashes  together,  and  sprinkle 
the  floor,  particularly  under  their  fore  feet,  as  it  will  not 
be  removed  in  cleaning  the  floor. 

Another.  Grease,  fat,  lard,  or  oil,  rubbed  on  cattle, 
will  destroy  lice ;  but  this  should  not  be  done  in  very 
cold  weather,  unless  they  are  protected,  as  it  makes 
them  very  cold  and  chilly. 


NEAT   CATTLE.  187 

Another.  Wash  them  in  a  decoction  of  cedar  bark  a 
few  times. 

Another.    Buttermilk. 

Another.  Throw  fine  sand  on  them.  Bulls  paw  in 
sand,  and  are  never  troubled  with  lice. 

Another.  When  calves  are  thus  afflicted  in  winter, 
let  them  run  among  sheep,  and  the  lice  will  soon  clear 
out. 

Another.  Take  water  in  which  potatoes  have  been 
boiled,  and  rub  it  all  over  the  animals  —  cattle,  horses, 
or  hogs. 

Another.    New  rum  or  whiskey. 

Another.    Yellow  snuff. 

PHYSIC. 

For  the  general  effects  of  physic,  see  page  33.  The 
principal  purgative  used  for  cattle  is  Epsom  and  Glau- 
ber's salts ;  one  pound  for  a  common  dose,  for  a  full 
grown  animal ;  and  half  doses  may  be  repeated  every 
four  or  five  hours,  until  an  operation  is  produced ;  or, 
instead  of  the  repetition  of  salts,  give  six  or  eight  ounces 
of  sulphur.  Sulphur  alone,  in  half  pound  doses,  is  a 
moderate  laxative,  but  rather  slow  in  its  operation. 

Linseed  oil,  from  a  pint  to  a  pint  and  a  half,  is  a  good 
purgative;  it  is  as  good  as  castor-oil,  or  olive  oil,  and 
much  cheaper ;  and  it  is  surer  than  the  former.  Either 
of  these  oils  may  be  used.  Thorough  wort  tea  is  a  good 
physic.  Aloes,  though  the  best  purgative  for  the  horse, 
is  uncertain  for'  cattle,  and  sometimes  dangerous,  pro- 
ducing irritation  and  fever.  The  staple  purgative  for 
cattle  is  Epsom  salts  ;  they  arc  more  certain  than  Glau- 
ber's, and  dissolve  in  less  water.  In  all  cases  of  severe 
costiveness,  back-rake,  and  give  injections  —  exciting 
ones  if  necessary ;  else  it  may  be  dangerous  to  give 
powerful  doses  of  physic,  or  to  repeat  them,  when  the 
bowels  are  obstinately  obstructed. 

Physic  is  useful  in  the  following  cases  :  — 

1.  A  purging  drink,  soon  after  calving,  prevents  the 
milk  fever  in  cows. 

2.  A  moderate  purge  given  to  old  cattle  once  in  five 


188  DISEASES    OF   ANIMALS. 

or  six  weeks,  is  good  to  preserve  health,  and  prevent 
garget  in  cows. 

3.  A  purge  is  good  in  cases  of  constipation  of  the 
bowels. 

4.  In  fevers  physic  is  good,  as  it  keeps  the  bowels 
open  when  there  is  a  tendency  to  costiveness. 

5.  When,  from  too  luxurious  food,  cattle  eat  to  excess, 
and  grow  dull  and  heavy,  with  loss  of  appetite,  and 
have  symptoms  of  fever,  purgatives  will  give  relief. 

6.  In  jaundice,  physic  is  good ;  tonic  medicines  should 
follow. 

7.  When  medicines  are  given  to  cows  to  prevent 
abortion,  they  should  be  preceded  by  gentle  physic. 

8.  Purging  medicines  are  good  in  inflammatory  com- 
plaints, whether  general  or  local. 

DIURETICS. 

Saltpetre,  turpentine,  and  rosin  are  used  for  cattle. 
The  dose  of  either  is  from  half  an  ounce  to  an  ounce. 
The  following  is  a  good  diuretic  drink :  saltpetre,  half 
an  ounce  ;  rosin,  half  an  ounce ;  ginger,  two  drachms ; 
mix  in  a  little  molasses  and  gruel. 

HERNIA,   OR   RUPTURE. 

In  this  complaint  the  intestine  protrudes  through  the 
walls  of  the  abdomen.  It  is  occasioned  by  external 
violence  and  other  causes.  Some  calves  are  dropped  in 
this  condition.  The  external  wound  may  be  small,  or 
the  injury  such  that  the  skin  is  not  broken,  and  yet  the 
internal  wall  of  the  belly  may  be  ruptured.  A  tumor 
soon  appears,  which  is  a  portion  of  the  intestine.  Some- 
times it  seems  to  affect  the  health  of  the  animal  only  a 
little  at  first,  but  it  soon  becomes  painful,  strangulation 
takes  place,  and  the  contents  of  the  intestines  are  ob 
structed  in  their  passage  through  the  protruded  parts. 

Throw  the  beast  and  place  him  on  his  back,  with  the 
hind  parts  somewhat  elevated.  Make  an  incision 
through  the  skin,  corresponding  with  the  length  of  the 
tumor,  taking  especial  care  that  the  intestine  immedi- 


NEAT    CATTLE.  189 

ately  underneath  be  not  wounded.  If  there  be  not  room 
to  return  the  protruded  intestine,  owing  to  strangulation, 
then  make  the  wound  larger,  carefully  cutting  between 
the  fingers  with  a  crooked  knife  or  bistoury,  and  return 
the  bowel. 

Then  bring  the  edges  of  the  wound  through  the  walls 
of  the  belly  together,  and  retain  them  with  stitches.  The 
skin,  if  necessary,  must  be  dissected  back  a  little,  in 
order  to  get  at  the  whole  wound.  Then  take  stitches  in 
the  skin,  bringing  the  edges  close  together.  In  a  few 
cases,  it  is  possible,  and  when  it  is,  it  is  advisable  to 
include  the  skin  and  muscular  wall  of  the  belly  in  the 
same  stitch.  A  little  simple  ointment  may  be  applied 
to  the  external  parts  to  keep  them  soft  and  prevent 
soreness. 

Apply  a  bandage  of  cloth  some  inches  wider  than  the 
wound ;  sew  it  on,  and  let  it  remain  ten  days.  When 
the  edges  of  the  wound  shall  have  adhered  mostly,  re- 
move the  stitches  and  treat  it  as  a  common  sore. 
Should  much  swelling  appear  under  the  bandage, 
foment  it  with  warm  water.  The  beast  should  be  kept 
on  light  food,  such  as  bran  mashes,  grass  or  hay,  and  on 
short  allowance,  and  a  dose  or  two  of  physic  should  be 
given  during  the  progress  of  the  cure. 

In  some  cases  the  animal  has  recovered  when  there 
has  been  a  rent  in  the  intestine,  if  it  has  been  stitched 
carefully.  Thomas  Brayer,  an  English  cattle  doctor, 
opened  an  ox  in  the  flank,  took  out  the  most  of  his 
bowels,  found  a  stoppage  in  the  intestine,  that  was 
putrid  three  quarters  of  a  yard  in  length,  which  he  cut 
away,  drew  the  sound  ends  together,  upon  a  hollow 
keck,  three  inches  long,  sewed  the  ends  together  on  it, 
leaving  the  keck  within  the  bowels,  and  then  sewed  up 
the  flank.  In  an  hour  the  ox  dunged,  and  the  keck 
came  away.  He  recovered  and  did  service  for  years. 
An  extraordinary  case  of  healing  power. 

COLIC. 

Symptoms.  The  beast  is  uneasy ;  lying  down  and 
getting  up  often,  and  sometimes  swelling  much,  without 
signs  of  fever  at  first. 


190  DISEASES    OF  ANIMALS. 

Remedy.  Half  a  pint  or  a  pint  of  hot  drops  is  safe 
ami  sure. 

Another.  A  pint  of  linseed  oil,  with  half  an  ounce 
of  laudanum. 

Another.  Give  exciting  clysters,  and  aromatics,  such 
as  sage,  pennyroyal,  peppermint,  or  other  warming  tea, 
in  liberal  doses. 

Another.  Take  a  quart  of  warm  water,  add  half  a 
pint  of  gin.  sweeten  with  molasses ;  then  put  in  half  a 
pint  of  ground  mustard  seed,  and  pour  it  down. 

WARTS,  WENS  AND  TUMORS. 

Mix  tar  and  salt,  and  apply  them ;  continue  the  prac- 
tice, renewing  the  application  frequently,  until  a  cure  is 
effected. 

As  a  remedy  for  wens,  some  cast  the  animal  and  cut 
out  the  wen,  then  fill  the  cavity  with  powdered  rosin  and 
salt,  well  mixed ;  and  carefully  bring  the  skin  back  to 
its  place  and  sew  it  up.  Or  wash  the  wen  often,  and 
for  a  long  time,  with  warm  vinegar,  saturated  with 
common  salt.  We  have  known  large  wens  cured  by 
warm  salt  water  alone.  Or  put  a  hair  seton  through 
those  that  are  not  a  sitfasts,  or  a  wolf  on  the  jaw,  when 
they  appear  to  be  ripe,  and  wash  them  daily  in  soft  soap. 

For  warts,  cut  them  open,  and  apply  blue  vitriol, 
(sulphate  of  copper,)  in  powder.  A  physician  was  in- 
duced to  try  this,  (and  it  was  attended  with  excellent 
success,)  from  learning  that  a  boy  had  many  warts 
cured  on  his  hands  by  sorting  brass  nails,  from  the 
influence  of  the  copper  in  the  brass.  Neither  the  cut- 
ting nor  the  application  is  painful.  Or  apply  to  warts 
raw  grated  carrots,  mixed  with  salt.  Warts  are  some- 
times cured  by  the  application  of  spirits  of  turpentine, 
or  lunar  caustic. 

LOSS   OF  CUD. 

The  food  of  cattle  and  sheep,  and  other  ruminating 
animals,  is  returned  from  the  stomach  to  the  mouth,  to 
undergo  a  second  grinding.    The  loss  of  cud  is  only 


NEAT   CATTLE.  191 

a  symptom  of  disease,  not  a  disease  of  itself.  Fever, 
debility,  indigestion,  and  other  causes,  produce  loss  of 
cud.  In  cases  of  fever,  give  physic,  as  salts,  and  then 
aromatics,  as  ginger  and  caraway.  In  case  of  debility, 
give  tonics,  as  gentian,  columbo,  and  cascarilla.  In 
case  of  indigestion,  give  exercise,  if  the  animal  does  not 
have  enough,  and  give  roots,  bran  mashes,  and  other 
light  and  laxative  food.  Take  a  cud  from  another  ani- 
mal, divide  it,  and  give  the  patient  one  half;  or  take 
the  fine  inner  part  of  white  elder,  (Sambucus  alba  or 
canadensis,)  scrape  it  fine,  and  give  a  wad  for  a  cud. 

OVER-HEATING  AND   OVER-DRAWING. 

Sometimes  cattle,  especially  oxen,  from  too  much 
labor  and  fatigue,  in  hot  weather,  become  over-heated 
and  almost  melted.  This  relaxes  the  whole  system,  so 
that  it  is  seldom  restored  to  its  original  state.  The 
circulation  becomes  slow,  the  perspiration  diminished 
and  retained,  and  the  beast  is  sluggish  and  compara 
tively  useless  through  life. 

Remedy.  Give  immediately,  to  each  grown  animal,  o 
quart  of  gin,  or,  for  want  of  that,  a  quart  of  "West  India 
ram,  or  new  rum,  or  whiskey,  in  a  little  less  quantity. 
This,  acting  as  a  stimulus,  will  restore,  in  a  measure, 
the  system  to  its  primitive  tone,  quicken  the  fluids,  pro- 
mote all  the  secretions,  and  generally  cure. 

Another.  Cayenne  pepper,  or  hot  drops,  or  any 
warm,  diffusive  stimulus,  is  good.  The  effect  of  warm 
medicines  is  to  keep  up  the  circulation  and  induce  a 
slow  and  gradual  cooling,  and  prevent  the  great  evil 
resulting  from  a  sudden  change  from  hot  to  cold ;  as  in 
cases  of  freezing,  the  frost  is  taken  out  by  snow  or  cold 
water,  to  prevent  the  sad  effects  of  sudden  thawing. 

Another.  Mr.  Jedediah  Dow,  of  Portland,  Me.,  has 
often  tried,  and  highly  recommends,  a  strong  liquor 
made  from  a  peck  of  ivy  leaves,  often  called  mercury  or 
poison  vine,  (Rhus  radicans,)  while  green,  boiled  down 
to  a  strong  liquor.  Give  a  pint  for  a  dose.  A  few 
doses  may  be  given  at  suitable  intervals.  It  is  said  tc 
be  harmless.    It  seems  that  this  is  a  remedy  some  time 


192  DISEASES   OF   ANIMALS. 

after  the  evil  has  occurred.  Be  cautious  in  the  use  of 
this  plant,  as  many  persons  are  poisoned  by  touching  it, 
and  even  some  by  looking  at  it,  or  by  its  effluvia. 

For  Oxen  strained  by  Over-Drawing.  Half  a  pint 
of  soft  soap,  stirred  up  in  a  pint  of  new  milk,  and  poured 
down  the  throat,  is  said  to  be  a  speedy  cure. 

MAD  ITCH. 

This  disease  frequently  comes  on  with  a  kind  of  cough 
or  jerk,  at  every  breath.  The  brute  jerks  itself  full  of 
wind,  frequently  licking  its  sides  and  back,  occasion- 
ally rubbing  its  head,  and  if  not  stopped  in  five  or  six 
hours,  it  rubs  with  apparent  madness,  and  continues  to 
swell  till  death,  which  will  be  within  ten  or  twelve  hours 
after  the  attack.  It  is  supposed  that  this  disorder  is 
sometimes  caused  by  cattle  following  hogs  and  eating 
corn-stalks  which  hogs  have  chewed  and  rejected,  after 
extracting  the  sap  or  nutriment,  and  thus  rendering 
them  indigestible,  which  creates  a  fever  and  destroys 
the  animal. 

Remedy.  Give  the  animal  as  much  salt  and  soot  as 
she  will  eat,  and  in  a  few  hours  give  her  from  three 
quarters  to  one  pound  of  sulphur  or  pulverized  brim- 
stone.   In  twenty-four  hours  give  her  a  pound  of  salt. 

JAUNDICE,   OR  YELLOWS. 

This  disease  is  not  acute,  nor  is  it  marked  at  once  by 
any  prominent  symptoms,  but  it  creeps  on  insidiously, 
and  it  frequently  gains  a  strong  hold  before  it  is  known, 
and  it  is  often  obstinate  and  very  difficult  to  remove. 

Causes.  The  immediate  causes  are,  an  affection  of 
the  liver,  by  which  there  are  too  great  secretions  of  the 
bile,  or  it  is  too  thick  to  pass  freely,  or  the  duct  by  which 
the  bile  passes  into  the  intestines  is  obstructed,  and  it  is 
thrown  back  into  the  circulation.  The  remote  or  origi- 
nal  cause  is  hard  to  trace.  Food,  drink,  atmosphere, 
exposure,  want  of  exercise,  and  other  circumstances, 
have  an  influence.  Inaction  is  the  most  fruitful  cause, 
especially  under  high  feeding. 


NEAT   CATTLE.  193 

Symptoms.  Dulness,  langor,  loss  of  appetite,  wan- 
dering about,  dejection,  reduction  of  milk,  (in  cows,) 
dryness  and  hardness  of  the  skin,  staring  ot  the  coat, 
yellowness  of  the  eyes,  mouth  and  urine. 

Treatment.  If  the  bowels  are  constipated,  physic 
thoroughly,  and  continue  partial  doses  of  physic  ;  give 
also  loosening  food,  such  as  bran  mashes,  potatoes,  car-> 
rots,  and  green  herbage ;  or,  if  in  winter,  good  clover 
hay.  This  treatment  Will  prepare  the  system  for  as- 
tringents,  which  are  the  main  curatives  in  this  disease ; 
stomachics  are  necessary  to  arouse  to  action  and  give 
proper  tone  to  the  digestive  organs ;  and  by  giving 
gentle  purgatives,  or  partial  doses,  and  laxative  food, 
astringents  may  be  given  without  producing  costive* 
ness. 

The  following  astringents  are  good  to  remove  the  dis- 
ease :  A  decoction  or  cold  infusion  of  yellow  birch,  black 
cherry,  or  barberry  bark,  or  all  mixed  together.  Give 
at  the  same  time  some  Warming  medicine,  such  as  gin- 
ger, caraway  seeds,  a  small  quantity  of  Cayenne  pepper, 
pennyroyal,  or  other  warm  aromatic  herb  tea.  Rasp- 
berry tea  is  good  as  a  mild,  moderate  tonic  and  anodyne. 

The  following  tonic  is  excellent:  Powdered  gentian 
root,  half  an  ounce ;  powdered  ginger,  one  drachm ; 
Epsom  salts,  two  ounces ;  mix  in  a  pint  of  gruel,  and 
give  half  in  the  morning  and  half  at  night.  [See  page 
117.] 

WOUNDS. 

Very  aggravated  wounds  in  cattle  are  frequently  cured 
with  the  yolk  of  an  egg  mixed  with  spirits  of  turpentine. 
Bathe  the  parts  affected  with  the  mixture. 

Another  Remedy.     Steep  Life  of  Man  root  in  chamber 
lye ;  boil  it  down  one  half,  and  bathe  the  wound  several 
times  a.  day  with  it.     It  is  said  to  be  very  effectual, 
[See  pages  51  and  56.1 
17 


194  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


FEVER. 

Cattle  are  liable  to  this  disease  at  all  seasons,  but  it 
prevails  most  in  the  spring  and  fall.  It  is  most  common 
to  young  animal.  Sometimes  it  is  caused  by  too  rich 
food.  Colds,  from  exposure,  or  change  of  atmosphere, 
may  produce  it.    There  are  various  other  causes. 

Symptoms.  Stronger  and  more  frequent  pulsations, 
coldness  at  the  tips  of  the  ears,  and  in  the  horns,  and  heat 
at  the  base  of  the  horns,  and  in  the  mouth  and  breath ; 
dulness  and  redness  of  the  eyes ;  want  of  appetite  and 
rumination ;  dryness  of  the  nose,  and  fallen  counte- 
nance. 

Remedy.  Sweat,  or  bleed  lighly,  early,  but  when 
the  disease  has  advanced,  bleeding  would  be  dangerous 
or  fatal.  Physic  with  one  pound  of  salts.  If  there  is  no 
effect  in  six  or  eight  hours,  give  a  clyster  of  soap  suds, 
and  repeat  in  half  doses  of  physic,  which  continue  every 
six  hours,  till  an  operation.  If  the  constipation  be  obsti- 
nate, give  an  exciting  injection.  Those  who  do  not 
bleed  should  continue  light  doses  of  physic,  and  give 
light  diuretic  doses  ;  and  give  daily,  till  the  fever  abates, 
a  good  dose  of  raspberry  tea.  Nurse  carefully,  and  give 
light  and  laxative  food. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  BOWELS,  AND  COS- 
TIVENESS. 

Causes.  Going  into  rivers  and  ponds  after  being 
heated  and  fatigued,  and  other  exposures  to  cold  ;  change 
from  green  to  dry  feed ;  change  of  pasture  to  higher 
feed ;  too  rich  feed  of  any  kind,  with  too  little  exercise, 
and  various  other  causes. 

Symptoms.  The  bowels  are  obstinately  constipated ; 
the  dung  is  voided  with  difficulty,  and  in  small  quanti- 
ties, hard,  covered  with  mucus,  and  sometimes  stained 
with  blood.  The  animal  lies  down,  and  then  rises 
quickly ;  strikes  at  his  belly  with  his  hind  feet.  Contrary 
to  colic,  a  fever  attends  this  disease,  and  the  muzzle  is 
dry,  and  the  mouth  hot. 


NEAT    CATTLE.  195 

Treatment.  First,  back-rake  in  a  thorough  manner ; 
then  give  exciting  clysters,  to  clear  out  the  intestines 
and  stimulate  the  bowels  to  action ;  and  as  the  third 
stomach,  in  this  disease,  is  choked  up  with  dry  food, 
wash  this  out,  so  as  to  open  a  passage  through  to  the 
fourth  stomach,  by  giving  warm  water  or  thin  gruel, 
and  if  the  beast  will  not  drink  it,  turn  down  several 
quarts. 

Then  sweat,  if  necessary  from  the  severity  of  the  case, 
and  administer  a  dose  of  physic,  and  repeat  half  doses 
every  five  or  six  hours,  till  an  operation  is  produced. 
See  that  there  is  a  thorough  purging,  by  which  large 
quantities  of  faeces  are  removed  from  the  bowels,  else 
there  has  been  only  a  partial  operation,  and  hardened 
matter  still  obstructs  the  passages.  After  the  physic  has 
operated  well,  feed  lightly,  at  first  on  mashes  and 
green  food,  gradually  changing  to  common  diet,  and  the 
usual  quantity. 

Sometimes  inflammation  of  the  bowels  occurs  without 
costiveness,  and  the  symptoms  are  the  same,  excepting 
those  that  result  from  costiveness.  In  this  case,  large 
quantities  of  raspberry  tea,  which  is  excellent  for  the 
reduction  of  inflammation,  internal  or  external,  will  gen- 
erally afford  relief  j  or  give  other  astringent  or  sedative 
teas. 

VOMITING. 

This  evil  is  rare,  but  when  it  does  happen,  it  is  fre 
quently  serious.  An  ox,  that  vomited  for  fifteen  days, 
throwing  up  his  food  and  drink  soon  after  taken,  became 
much  reduced,  but  was  cured  as  follows :  — An  infusion 
of  mint  was  given,  with  an  ounce  of  camphor,  suspended 
in  a  sufficient  quantity  of  vinegar,  added  to  every  two 
bottles  of  infusion.  This  remained  on  the  stomach.  In 
three  hours  after,  a  very  little  hay  was  given,  which  was 
retained.  He  drank  some  water,  whitened  with  rye 
meal,  and  he  soon  began  to  ruminate.  The  owner  now 
indiscreetly  fed  too  largely,  and  the  disorder  returned, 
but  was  again  checked  by  the  infusion.  He  soon  re- 
covered. 


196  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

To  a  cow  that  was  taken  violently  with  vomiting, 
three  pints  of  an  infusion  of  peppermint,  with  six 
drachms  of  camphor,  dissolved  in  vinegar,  were  given 
and  retained.  Food  that  was  given  was  soon  returned. 
But  after  three  drinks  had  been  given,  (at  what  intervals 
not  named,)  the  stomach  retained  hay,  and  she  ruminated. 
Next  day,  she  vomited  a  little  after  eating,  but  another 
drink  checked  it ;  food  was  given  her  in  a  few  hours,  and 
she  was  sick  no  more.  A  similar  case  was  treated  in  the 
same  way,  with  a  like  result. 

Other  cases  have  been  treated  in  the  same  manner, 
with  success ;  but  sometimes  obstinate  cases  require  a 
course  of  infusion  for  several  days,  before  food  can  be 
safely  taken  in  considerable  quantity.  We  published 
this  treatment  in  the  Yankee  Farmer,  and  from  that, 
some  have  practised  on  it  with  success. 

Another.  Boil  tansy  and  mint  together ;  give  one 
quart  of  this  to  the  beast .  If  it  does  not  stop,  repeat  the 
dose  every  hour. 

RABIES,   OR  MADNESS. 

This  terrible  malady  is  produced  by  the  bile  of  a  mad 
dog,  and  it  shows  itself  from  a  few  weeks  to  several 
months  after  the  bite. 

Symptoms.  Dull  appearance ;  loss  of  appetite ;  anx- 
ious looks  ;  red  and  protruding  eyes ;  pitiful  lows  ;  con- 
stant voiding  of  dung  and  urine ;  driveling  of  saliva 
from  the  mouth  ;  after  a  few  days,  the  discharge  dries  up, 
and  terrible  thirst  succeeds ;  then  follows  weakness  of 
the  loins  and  staggering;  palsy  of  the  hind  limbs  suc- 
ceeds, and  after  lingering  some  six  or  seven  days,  the 
animal  dies.  Sometimes  he  is  terribly  ferocious,  run- 
ning  furiously  at  every  object,  bellowing  and  tearing  up 
the  ground,  and  goring  his  companions. 

There  is  no  cure  for  this  disease  ;  and  the  most  pru- 
dent way  is  to  kill  the  animal  as  soon  as  the  disease  is 
well  known.  Perhaps  it  may  be  prevented,  immediately 
after  the  bite,  by  cutting  the  wound  so  as  to  cause  it  to 
bleed,  pressing  out  the  blood,  and  afterwards  applying 
tome  alkali,  such  as  ammonia,  a  solution  of  pot  or  pearl 


NEAT    CATTLE.  197 

ash,  or  a  lye  of  wood  ashes ;  or  apply  some  caustic.  The 
bleeding  may  expel  the  poison,  and  thus  prevent  its 
entering  the  circulation.     [See  page  277.] 

STAGGERS. 

Cause.  A  change  from  poverty  to  rich  feeding.  It 
is  most  common  in  cattle  turned  into  luxuriant  pastur 
age  in  the  spring,  or  early  in  the  summer ;  and  those 
that  have  been  kept  poorly  during  the  winter  are  most 
liable  to  this  disease. 

Symptoms.  Dulness  ;  a  constant  disposition  to  sleep, 
resting  the  head  on  any  convenient  place,  and  reeling 
and  staggering  in  attempting  to  walk.  If  this  disease 
is  not  checked  soon,  it  will  be  likely  to  terminate  in 
inflammation  of  the  brain,  or  a  general  fever. 

Remedy.  Bleeding  is  prictised,  but  sweating  may  be 
preferable.  Give  physic,  and  if  there  be  constipation  of 
the  bowels,  give  injections:  if  the  costiveness  be  severe 
and  obstinate,  back-rake  also.  Feed  lightly,  and  let  the 
animal  gradually  return  to  good  keeping.  Those  who 
do  not  bleed  may  aid  in  the  cure  by  giving  a  mild  diu- 
retic.    Saltpetre  is  good. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  BRAIN. 

This  is  not  common,  but  it  is  a  very  severe  disease. 
It  is  sometimes  called  frenzy.  It  is  most  prevalent  in 
well  fed  cattle,  and  in  the  hot  season. 

Causes.  A  redundancy  of  blood,  induced  by  cattle 
thriving  too  fast  when  turned  into  rich  pastures ;  or 
being  fattened  too  fast,  to  fit  them  for  show  or  sale.  It 
is  sometimes  caused  by  an  intense  sun,  when  they  are 
in  fields  without  shade.  It  may  be  brought  on  by  con- 
tusions or  fright. 

Symptoms.  The  beast  is  dull  and  stupid,  in  the  early 
stage  ;  his  head  is  protruded ;  he  ceases  to  eat  or  rumi 
nate,  and  appears  unconscious.  He  will  stand  motion- 
less ;  after  awhile  he  may  drop,  and  then  start  up  sud- 
denly, look  wild,  stagger,  fall,  and  rise ;  runs  against 
everything  in  his  way.  At  other  times,  he  is  inclined 
17* 


198  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

to  mischief ;  he  stamps,  tears  up  the  ground  with  his 
horns,  bellows  tremendously,  attacks  every  one  within 
ais  reach,  and  so  continues  till  exhausted,  and  he  soon 
dies. 

Remedy.  If  the  animal  be  costive,  back-rake  and 
give  injections.  Bleed  till  he  falters,  and  give  physic. 
If  the  disease  does  not  abate,  insert  a  seton  on  each  side 
of  the  poll,  well  smeared  with  blistering  ointment.  Give 
mashes  and  green  food,  if  in  the  season ;  if  not,  give  a 
few  roots.  Feed  lightly.  If  he  will  not  eat,  turn  gruel 
down  the  throat.    Avoid  tonics  and  stimulants. 

HORN   OR   HEAD-AIL. 

Some  have  attributed  this  disease  to  an  affection  in  the 
tail,  and  have  commenced  doctoring  the  animal  at  that 
end.  But  some  cattle  that  have  unfortunately  lost  their 
tails,  have  had  this  disease.  In  some  severe  cases,  there 
is  no  doubt  that  the  affection  extends  through  the  spine, 
and  the  tail  is  affected  also. 

Sanford  Howard  Esq.,  one  of  the  editors  of  the  Albany 
Cultivator,  distinguished  as  an  excellent  manager  ol 
stock,  says  that  the  hollow  horn,  as  it  is  called,  is  inci- 
dent to  cattle  without  horns ;  that  it  is  an  inflammation 
of  the  lining  of  the  nostrils  and  the  cavities  of  the  head 
and  horns,  sometimes  extending  to  the  brain,  and  pro- 
ducing vertigo,  and  in  its  advanced  stages  affecting  the 
digestive  organs,  the  heart,  lungs,  and  the  whole  sys- 
tem, and  death  follows.  The  predisposing  causes  of 
this  disease  are  weakness,  debility,  and  exposure ;  and 
the  effects  are  similar  to  a  severe  cold  in  the  human 
race.  Sometimes  the  nostrils  are  nearly  filled  by  inflam- 
mation, and  matter  collected  in  them. 

Symptoms.  General  dulness  ;  tardiness  in  moving  ; 
yellow,  viscous  matter  about  the  eyes ;  failure  of  appe- 
tite ;  a  disposition  to  lie  down ;  giddiness,  and  frequent 
tossing  of  the  head ;  often  a  stiffness  of  limbs,  and,  in 
cows,  the  milk  fails,  and  there  is  always  a  wasting  of 
flesh  ;  the  horn  loses  its  natural  heat,  and  feels  cold  to 
the  hand. 

Preventives.    Turpentine  applied  to  the  head,  be- 


NEAT    CATTLE.  199 

tween  the  horns.    The  occasional  use  of  garget  root, 
poke  weed,  (  Phytolacca  decandra.)    Soot,  salt,  and  pepper,  _ 
given  occasionally. 

Treatment.  Some  recommend  bleeding,  but  this 
sometimes  proves  fatal.  Perhaps  it  has  been  useful  in 
some  cases,  of  animals  in  high  condition,  and  in  a  fever, 
which  has  induced  this  recommendation.  Animals  in 
low  condition  are  most  subject  to  this  disease,  and  they 
should  have  nourishing  food  to  keep  up  their  strength, 
unless  a  fever  prevails.  Keep  them  in  a  warm  shelter, 
clothe  warmly,  and  give  warming,  soothing  teas,  and 
warm  gruel.  If  the  tail  is  affected,  cut  it  off.  If  there 
be  a  pressure  of  matter  in  the  horns,  boring  them  will 
give  temporary  relief.  Give  gentle  physic.  Rub  the 
animal  frequently,  particularly  on  the  back.  An  appli- 
cation between  the  horns,  as  hot  as  can  be  borne,  of 
spirits  of  turpentine  and  good  vinegar,  one  gill  each, 
and  salt  and  black  or  red  pepper,  half  a  gill  each,  sim- 
mered together,  and  retained  by  a  cloth  wound  round 
the  horns,  will  be  highly  useful,  and  has,  in  some  cases, 
cured  alone.  This  general  course  of  treatment,  or  parts 
of  it,  will  be  useful  in  aid  of  other  remedies. 

Remedy.  Joseph  Fichner,  veterinary  surgeon,  who 
had  long  practised  in  France  and  Philadelphia,  says, 
"  The  animal  is  in  a  high  fever,  as  perceived  by  the 
throbbing  of  the  breast.  Bleed  one  or  two  quarts,  and 
give  two  table  spoonfuls,  three  times  a  day,  of  the  fol- 
lowing mixture,  dissolved  in  a  pint  of  warm  water,  until 
the  animal  recovers: — Glauber's  salts,  six  ounces; 
cream  of  tartar,  two  ounces;  purified  saltpetre,  two 
ounces  ;  powdered  root  of  altheae,  one  and  a  half  ounces. 
If  the  animal  be  costive,  give  a  clyster  of  one  handful  of 
camomile  flowers,  and  two  handfuls  of  flax-seed,  boiled 
in  two  quarts  of  water,  and  strained;  to  which  add 
half  a  pound  of  linseed  oil,  and  half  a  gill  of  salt. 
Or  use  a  quart  of  wheat  bran,  instead  of  the  flowers  and 
flax-seed." 

If  a  discharge  be  effected  at  the  nose  in  season,  there 
will  be  no  need  of  boring  the  horns.  Mr.  Abel  Gleason, 
of  Wayland,  Mass.,  has  pursued  the  following  method, 
with  excellent  success :  "  Put  half  of  a  table  spoonful  of 


200  DISEASES    OF   ANIMALS. 

spirits  of  turpentine  on  the  head,  between  the  horns,  and 
;  with  a  syringe  inject  into  the  nostrils  strong  vinegar, 
salt  and  pepper,  keeping  the  head  up  during  the  opera 
tion.  This  will  produce  a  copious  discharge  from  the 
nose."  Give  gentle  physic,  and  if  the  animal  is  in  high 
condition,  feed  lightly  for  a  while. 

Another.  The  Massachusetts  Ploughman  says,  that 
Mr.  Eliphalet  Collins,  of  Bradford,  cures  the  horn-ail  by 
soft  soap  and  common  salt,  equal  parts,  in  a  bag,  and 
tied  on  between  the  horns.  It  may  be  necessary  to 
renew  the  application  two  or  three  times.  Mr.  Sheldon, 
of  Wilmington,  uses  this  remedy,  and  he  thinks  the  cure 
is  effected  by  the  animal's  licking  the  soap  and  salt  that 
run  down  on  its  nose. 

Another.  It  is  said  that  some  cases  have  been  cured 
by  pouring  half  a  gill  of  spirits  of  turpentine  into  the 
cavity  on  the  head,  just  behind  the  horns,  and  repeating 
it  once  a  week ;  but  this  is  used  mostly  as  a  preventive 
Some  say  that  this  is  good,  but  a  spoonful  of  hot  brim- 
stone is  better. 

TAIL  SICKNESS 

This  disease  is  a  wasting  of  the  end  of  the  tail,  and  if 
it  be  not  cut  off  above  where  it  is  affected,  the  disease 
will  generally  extend,  and  prove  fatal.  It  is  attended 
with  weakness  and  sluggishness.  The  end  of  the  tail 
becomes  hollow  and  relaxed. 

Remedy.  Amputate  a  small  piece  of  the  tail,  which 
will  be  attended  with  the  loss  of  some  blood.  But  when 
the  tail  is  but  little  affected,  and  near  the  end,  a  slit  of 
an  inch  and  a  half  in  length  is  preferable  to  amputation. 

HOOF-AIL. 

Cause.  Driving  cattle  on  hard  or  muddy  roads  5 
numerous  other  causes  are  assigned,  among  which  is 
bad  food. 

Symptoms.  Lameness,  inflammation,  swelling  in  the 
feet,  soreness  between  the  claws  of  the  hoof. 

Remedy.    Wash  the  foot  in  a  strong  pickle  of  salt  and 


NEAT    CATTLE. 


201 


water;  and  if  this  does  not  cure,  use  an  ointment  of 
corrosive  sublimate  and  lard.    If  the  parts  between  the 
hoof  have  become  dry  and  hard,  cut  them  out  and  apply  ■ 
a  healing  ointment. 

Another.  We  have  found  blue  vitriol  an  excellent 
remedy.    Apply  a  solution  twice  a  day. 

Another.  With  a  chisel  cut  off'  three  fourths  of  an 
inch  of  the  toe  of  the  hoof;  if  it  does  not  bleed  freely, 
take  a  shaving  more,  till  the  blood  runs  freely.  It  will 
stop  bleeding  in  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes.  Keep  the 
animal  out  of  wet  and  mud  two  or  three  days,  and  he 
will  soon  be  fit  for  labor. 

WOLF,   OR   HOLDFAST. 

This  generally  occurs  in  cattle  from  two  to  four  years 
old,  when  they  are  shedding  their  teeth.  It  is  supposed 
to  be  caused  by  the  old  teeth  being  retained  when  the 
new  ones  are  starting,  which  causes  the  new  teeth  to 
grow  out  on  the  side  of  the  jaw,  in  bony  excrescences. 
Some  have  cured  by  pulling  out  the  old  teeth,  that  are 
in  the  way,  and  which  are  generally  carious.  One 
writer  says  that  spirits  of  turpentine,  applied  externally, 
will  cure  the  wolf,  if  taken  in  time.  It  affects  the  ani- 
mal sensibly  at  first,  but  he  soon  gets  over  it. 

COLDS,   COUGH   AND  HOOSE. 

When  the  cough  is  slight,  warm  housing  alone  may 
cure ;  it  may  be  necessary  to  give  a  warm  drink,  such 
as  sage,  pennyroyal,  or  other  herb  tea,  sweetened  with 
molasses  ;  or,  as  a  more  effective  medicine,  give  a  table 
spoonful  of  tar,  and  the  same  quantity  of  honey  or  mo- 
lasses, mixed  with  a  quart  of  new  milk,  in  which  steep 
a  head  of  garlic,  or  two  onions,  bruised  fine.  Give  green 
food  if  it  can  be  had ;  if  not,  feed  partially  with  roots  and 
mashes. 

If  the  disease  continue,  and  the  animal  loses  flesh, 
becomes  hide-bound,  and  its  coat  is  staring,,  it  is  a  seri- 
ous affair,  and  in  addition  to  the  above  treatment,  give 
gentle  laxatives,  say  half  doses  of  physic,  and  nourish- 


202  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

ing  drinks,  such  as  gruel,  flax-seed  tea,  infusion  of  malt, 
and  if  there  be  no  symptoms  of  fever,  give  with  the  laxa- 
tive medicines  some  cordial,  such  as  an  ounce  of  cara- 
way seeds,  and  three  or  four  drachms  of  ginger.  Keep 
the  animal  dry  and  warm,  and  give  good  ventilation. 
In  favorable  weather,  the  field  is  the  best  place  in  the 
day  time.  Many  practise  bleeding  for  colds,  but  this 
should  be  done  in  its  first  stages,  before  the  animal  is 
reduced  in  ilesh  and  strength.  As  soon  as  the  disease 
assumes  a  serious  form,  a  seton  should  be  put  into  the 
dewlap. 

Stimulating  drinks  should  not  be  given.  If  there  be 
difficulty  in  swallowing,  rub  the  following  liniment  on 
the  throat :  one  ounce  of  the  spirits  of  turpentine,  or 
any  common  oil,  and  half  an  ounce  of  liquid  ammonia. 

Sometimes  an  epidemic  prevails  extensively,  from 
.sudden  changes  in  the  weather,  or  atmospheric  influ- 
ence, often  called  catarrh  and  influenza,  affecting  the 
head  and  throat,  and  sometimes  the  lungs,  similar  to 
these  diseases  in  the  human  race,  and  often  proving 
very  severe,  without  early  attention.  If  the  lungs  be 
not  affected  at  first,  they  soon  will  be  if  the  disease  be 
neglected.  As  a  further  treatment  in  such  severe  cases, 
bruise  two  ounces  of  liquorice  root,  steep  it  well  in  a 
quart  of  water,  then  add  two  drachms  of  powdered 
squills ;  sweeten  with  honey  or  molasses,  and  give 
morning  and  night. 

If  this  treatment  does  cure,  the  cough  continues,  and 
there  is  reason  to  suppose  that  there  are  worms  in  the 
air  passages,  which,  in  cases  of  the  hoose,  or  advanced 
stages  of  colds  and  coughs,  is  often  the  case,  give  a 
drink  for  worms,  prepared  thus :  spirits  of  turpentine, 
two  ounces ;  sweet  spirit  of  nitre,  one  ounce ;  laudanum, 
half  an  ounce ;  linseed  oil,  four  ounces  ;  mix,  and  give 
in  a  pint  of  gruel.  This  medicine  enters  into  the  circu- 
lation, and  affects  the  worms  in  the  lungs,  and  in  the 
passages  to  them  :  for  the  turpentine  can  be  smelled  in 
the  breath  of  the  animal,  after  taking  this  medicine. 
Those  medicines  recommended  for  Husk  in  calves  will 
be  good  when  the  disease  has  run  on  to  that  state. 


\ 


NEAT    CATTLE.  203 


INFLAMMATION   OF   THE   LUNGS. 

Causes.  Catarrh  or  cold  neglected  may  end  in  the 
disease ;  it  is  also  caused  by  obstructed  perspiration 
from  sudden  and  great  changes  in  the  weather,  or  expos- 
ure to  wet ;  by  being  driven  long  distances  and  exposed 
to  damp,  cold  air  at  night.  Young  cattle,  particularly 
calves,  are  most  liable  to  it.  Neglect  of  currying  and 
rubbing  is  a  predisposing  cause. 

Symptoms.  Dulness,  shivering,  a  sore  cough,  cold- 
ness in  the  ears,  legs  and  roots  of  the  horns,  heat  in  the 
breath  and  mouth,  ropy  discharge  from  the  mouth,  inac- 
tivity, and  heaving  of  the  flanks. 

Remedy.  Sweator Bleed  in  the  beginning,  and  put  a 
seton  in  the  dewlap,  and  give  a  dose  of  physic.  Give 
warm  water  for  drink,  and  give  bran  mashes.  Give 
flax-seed  tea,  and  soothing  herb  teas,  writh  molasses  or 
honey.     Keep  the  animal  dry  and  warm. 

HUSK,  OR  HOOSE,  IN  CALVES. 

It  may  be  seen  by  the  last  article  the  first  or  original 
cause  of  this  disease.  The  immediate  cause  is  worms 
in  the  windpipe,  which  occasions  violent  irritation,  and 
a  constant  hoosing,  or  coughing,  and  if  no  remedy  be 
used,  the  organs  of  digestion  become  impaired,  and  con- 
sumptive symptoms  soon  follow.  The  disease  often 
runs  through  the  whole  herd,  occasioning  great  mor- 
tality. It  is  most  prevalent  in  dry  summers.  It  re- 
quires prompt  attention. 

Remedy.  Asafcetida,  three  ounces;  aloes,  three 
ounces ;  one  quart  of  vinegar.  Boil  together  till  dis- 
solved. Give  each  calf  a  table  spoonful,  in  each  nostril, 
every  third  day,  taking  care  to  hold  the  head  well  up,  so 
as  to  prevent  waste.  Generally  three  applications  will 
cure. 

Another.  One  pint  of  spirits  of  turpentine,  one  ditto 
of  train  oil,  two  ounces  of  spirits  of  vitriol,  two  ditto  of 
asafoetida,  and  two  ditto  of  hartshorn.  Mix  the  whole 
in  a  bottle,  and  shake  it  well.    Pour  one  table  spoonful 


204  DISEASES   OP   ANIMALS. 

down  each  nostril,  three  successive  mornings.  The 
calves  must  fast  the  night  previous  to  giving  the  dose. 
If  the  first  trial  does  not  succeed,  repeat  it  after  eight  or 
nine  days. 

DIARRHOEA,  OR  LOOSENESS. 

There  are  various  causes  for  diarrhoea,  such  as  a 
change  from  dry  to  green  food,  or  from  short  to  luxu- 
riant pastures,  change  of  climate,  change  of  food  or 
water,  poisonous  plants,  atmospheric  influence,  and 
other  causes. 

It  should  not  always  be  regarded  as  a  disease  5  there- 
fore it  should  not  be  stopped  immediately,  as  it  may  be 
only  an  effort  of  nature  to  throw  off  disease,  or  prevent 
it,  by  discharging  something  that  is  injurious.  Let  it 
run  twenty-four  hours.  Then  if  it  be  violent,  give  half 
a  dose  of  physic,  with  a  table  spoonful  of  ginger,  in  ordei 
to  assist  nature  in  ridding  the  bowels  of  any  irritant 
matter.  Next  day,  give  astringent  medicines,  and  keep 
the  animal  on  dry  food.  If  neglected  or  ill  treated,  this 
disease  is  liable  to  degenerate  into  dysentery,  which  is  a 
more  serious  complaint. 

These  diseases  are  often  confounded ;  diarrhoea  is  the 
voiding  of  dung  in  too  fluid  a  form,  in  large  quantities, 
and  in  a  full  stream.  It  sometimes  has  an  offensive 
smell,  and  is  occasionally  mingled  with  blood;  it  is 
incidental,  occurring  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  and 
often  stopping  of  itself.  Yet  this  is  often  the  precursor 
of 

DYSENTERY. 

Causes.  Long  journeys,  and  lying  out  on  cold,  wet 
nights,  exposure  to  sudden  changes  of  weather,  taking 
cold  after  calving.  It  is  most  common  in  spring  and 
fall,  and  in  low,  wet,  swampy  situations.  It  sometimes 
results  from  neglected  diarrhcea. 

SviMPTOMs.  If  not  preceded  by  diarrhcea,  it  begins 
with  frequent  and  painful  efforts  to  discharge  dung, 
which  is  thin,  slimy  and  stinking,  mingled  with  mucus, 


\£AT   CATTLE.  206 

and  otten  with  blood .  the  animal  is  restless  and  in  pain, 
often  lying  down  and  rising  ;  a  rumbling  noise  is  heard 
in  the  intestines.  If  neglected,  he  grows  poor,  though 
the  appetite  and  rumination  continue  for  some  time  ;  at 
length  these  fail,  and  the  food  passes  off  half  digested. 
As  it  continues,  the  mucous  membrane,  or  lining  of  the 
intestines,  sloughs  off,  and  mingles  with  the  dung. 
This  disease  consists  in  the  inflammation  of  the  lining 
of  the  large  intestines. 

Remedy.  Sweat,  and  give  a  pound  of  salts,  with  an 
ounce  of  powdered  caraway  seeds,  in  order  to  remove 
from  the  bowels  the  offensive  matter  which  may  cause 
the  disease.  .  Put  the  animal  in  a  house  or  yard,  and 
feed  on  hay,  and  ground  oats  or  mashes,  and  oil  cake. 
If  he  will  not  eat,  for  two  or  three  days  make  thick  gruel 
of  these,  and  turn  down  a  little  three  or  four  times  a  day. 

If  the  purging  be  not  checked  in  twenty-four  hours 
after  giving  physic,  give  moderate  astringents  only,  as 
it  will  be  dangerous  to  stop  it  suddenly.  Raspberry  tea 
is  a  mild  astringent ;  it  is  an  anodyne,  also,  having  a 
very  soothing  effect  on  the  irritated  and  excoriated 
bowels.  If  it  do  not  stop  soon,  give  mutton  suet  one 
pound,  and  new  milk  two  quarts,  boiled  together  till 
the  suet  is  dissolved ;  then  add  half  a  drachm  of  opium, 
and  half  a  drachm  of  ginger,  first  mixed  with  a  spoonful 
or  two  of  liquid. 

Another.  The  following  is  a  good  astringent  medi- 
cine, after  the  bowels  have  been  well  cleared  out  with 
a  purgative :  Powdered  chalk,  one  ounce ;  opium,  one 
drachm  ;  catechu,  four  drachms  ;  ginger,  two  drachms ; 
mix,  and  give  in  gruel. 

Another.     Sweet  gum  bark.     [See  page  107.] 

Another.  Charcoal  powder  has  cured  almost  hope- 
less cases  in  the  human  subject,  when  the  patient  was 
reduced  to  a  very  low  state.  Burn  soft  seasoned  pine, 
that  is  pure  and  lively  or  bright,  to  a  coal,  then  quench 
it.  Pulverize,  and  mix  with  honey  or  lard,  and  then 
grind  fine  as  possible.  Mix  in  warm  milk  or  water, 
and  give.  A  tea-spoonful  is  a  dose  for  an  infant,  and 
nearly  a  great  spoonful  for  an  adult.  Give  an  ox  or 
cow  four  to  eight  table  spoonfuls.  Charcoal  is  a  disin- 
18 


06  DISEASE      OF   ANIMALS. 

fectant,  and  has  a  salutary  effect  on  the  bowels,  which, 
in  a  severe  case,  and  advanced  stage  of  this  disease,  are 
tending  to  a  putrid  condition. 

Some  of  the  remedies  recommended  for  Looseness  in 
Calves,  and  for  Scours  and  Dysentery  in  Sheep,  are  good 
for  cattle. 

LOOSENESS,   OR   SCOURS,   IN   CALVES. 

Young  calves  are  frequently  destroyed  by  scours,  if 
not  stopped  soon  after  the  attack.  The  disease  is  often 
caused  by  exposure  to  too  great  heat  or  cold  ;  sometimes 
to  rains,  and  frequently  to  too  great  a  .flow  of  milk, 
when  the  dam's  udder  is  feverish,  or  when  she  eats 
unwholesome  food.  The  mucous  membrane  becomes 
inflamed,  the  discharges  are  white  and  watery,  and  if 
the  disease  is  not  checked  in  a  few  days,  or  weeks  at 
most,  the  lungs  inflame,  and  death  ensues.  When  the 
little  animal  becomes  affected,  it  should  be  put  in  a 
warm,  dry  stable,  and  not  permitted  to  suck  more  than 
half  the  quantity  of  milk  it  is  wont  to  do,  but  should  be 
let  to  the  cow  regularly  three  times  during  the  day. 

Remedy.  Make  a  tea,  of  equal  portions  of  white  oak, 
beech,  and  slippery-elm  bark,  and  give  in  moderate 
doses,  twice  a  day.  Linden  or  bass  wood,  or  white  pine, 
may  be  substituted  for  slippery-elm  ;  and  raspberry,  or 
other  vegetable  astringent,  for  white  oak. 

Another.  A  little  powdered  chalk,  given  daily.  If 
calves  are  supplied  with  chalk,  &c,  as  recommended  on 
page  181,  they  will  seldom  be  troubled  with  this  dis- 
order. 

Another.  A  table  spoonful  of  ground  allspice  in  a 
gill  of  boiling  water,  given  when  lukewarm,  twice  a 
day. 

Another.  Give,  twice  a  day,  half  an  ounce  of  salts, 
equal  proportions  of  Epsom  and  Glauber's.  An  experi- 
enced veterinarian  recommends  this  as  very  safe  and 
effectual. 

Another.  Break,  and  beat  up  two  eggs,  and  pour 
hem  down  the  throat,  twice  a  day.  [See  the  last  two 
articles,  page  204.] 


NEAT    CATTLE.  207 

Caution.  Be  careful  in  giving  astringent  medicines, 
lest  the  looseness  be  checked  too  suddenly,  as  this  may 
prove  fatal. 

MANGE,   SCURF,   OR   SCAB. 

This  is  a  cutaneous  disease,  which  is  very  contagious, 
for  as  many  cows  as  come  in  contact  with  one  having 
the  disorder,  will  be  sure  to  catch  it.  Its  symptoms  ara 
a  scurf  on  the  external  part  of  the  body,  which  is  always 
attended  with  an  itching.  Some  say  that  it  is  a  kind  of 
animalcule,  which  burrows  in  the  skin.  It  generally 
attacks  those  animals  which  are  low  in  flesh,  and  have 
been  fed  on  poor  forage. 

The  first  step  is,  to  take  a  currycomb,  and  gently  cur- 
ly off  the  scurf.  After  this,  the  following  application  is 
to  be  rubbed  on  the  parts  affected,  which  may  be  repeated 
every  three  or  four  days  till  a  cure  is  effected ;  and  it 
seldom  requires  more  than  two  or  three  applications  :  — 
Sulphur,  one  pound ;  spirits  of  turpentine,  half  a  pint ; 
train  oil,  enough  to  make  it  into  a  liquid. 

Anothek.  Mix  tar  and  soft  soap,  and  apply  it  to  the 
parts  affected. 

Another.  Lard  and  sulphur,  in  equal  parts ;  melt, 
mix,  and  apply  all  over  the  affected  parts ;  or,  in  severe 
cases,  all  over  the  animal.     [See  Itch,  in  "Swine."] 

CHOKING. 

As  cattle  are  choked  with  various  substances  of  differ- 
ent forms,  and  of  different  degrees  of  hardness,  and  the 
substance  may  be  high  or  low  in  the  throat,  no  one 
mode  nor  any  definite  rules  will  do  in  all  cases.  The 
operator  must  judge  what  is  best  from  the  circumstances. 

When  the  obstruction  is  at  the  upper  part  of  the 
throat,  the  hand  may  be  run  down,  through  a  wheel-box, 
or  piece  of  wood  with  a  hole  in  it,  put  in  the  mouth,  te 
prevent  being  bitten,  and  the  impediment  removed ;  or 
by  placing  some  gun-powder  on  the  lower  part  of  the 
tongue,  the  coughing  which  follows  may  throw  it  out. 

When  the  substance  is  far  down,  near  the  stomach,  i* 


208  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

may  be  pushed  down  with  a  stick,  like  a  hoe  handle 
square  at  the  end,  that  it  may  not  slip  by  the  article, 
and  wound  the  gullet.  One  of  the  surest  and  best  modes 
of  relief  is  to  have  a  probang,  or  hollow  tube,  to  run 
down  the  throat,  with  metal  at  the  end,  nearly  large 
enough  to  encircle  the  obstructing  substance,  and  with  a 
rod  in  the  tube,  and  a  corkscrew  attached  to  the  end. 
bore  into  the  obstruction,  and  extract  it.  The  corkscrew 
should  play  in  the  centre,  to  avoid  wounding  the  throat 

Another  Mode.  Sometimes  by  turning  soap  suds  01 
oil  down  the  throat,  and  rubbing  it,  and  pushing  up  and 
down  externally,  the  obstruction  can  be  removed. 

Another.  An  animal  was  choked  with  an  apple,  and 
no  means  were  at  hand  affording  relief;  he  was  cast, 
and  an  incision  made  in  the  throat,  and  the  apple  re- 
moved.    In  a  few  days  he  seemed  to  be  well. 

Another.  A  butcher  grasped  the  windpipe  of  a  cow 
that  was  choked,  just  below  the  potato,  and  held  firmly 
a  minute  or  two,  stopping  her  breath ;  she  sprang  for- 
ward  violently,  and  was  relieved  by  the  potato's  going 
down. 

Another.  "We  have  known  animals  that  have  been 
choked  with  potatoes  relieved  by  putting  a  block  against 
the  throat,  and  smashing  the  potato,  by  a  mallet,  and  no 
injury  followed.  This  is  condemned  as  too  harsh,  as  the 
bruising  of  the  throat  may  produce  inflammation. 

BLAIX,   OR    BLADDERS. 

The  tongue  is  swelled,  and  on  the  side,  and  under  it, 
are  bladders  filled  with  a  glutinous  matter. 

Causes.  High  condition  and  rich  pasturage,  produc- 
ing a  redundancy  of  blood,  or  from  taking  cold  in  that 
state.  Yet  it  occurs  sometimes  in  various  situations, 
and  at  all  seasons,  but  is  most  common  in  wet,  marshy 
situations,  and  in  hot,  sultry  weather. 

Symptoms.  Langor,  red  and  inflamed  eyes,  with 
tears ;  swelling  about  the  eyes ;  blisters  under  the 
tongue ;  quick  pulse  ;  heaving  of  the  flanks  ;  slavering 
at  the  mouth,  and  sometimes  constipation  of  the  bowels. 

Remedy.     Immediate   action  is    necessary,   lest  the 


NEAT    CATTLE.  209 

disease  assume  a  malignant  form.  Cut  the  blisters 
along  the  tongue,  or  break  them  with  the  fingers,  and 
considerable  matter  will  ooze  out,  and  give  relief.  Give 
physic,  and  feed  lightly.  If  there  be  a  fever,  give  a 
fever  drink,  as  follows: — Emetic  tartar,  one  drachm; 
powdered  digitalis,  half  a  drachm;  saltpetre,  three 
drachms ;  mix,  and  give  in  a  quart  of  gruel,  night  and 
morning,  and  keep  the  bowels  open  by  gentle  physic. 

Should  loss  of  appetite  and  weakness  continue  after 
the  fever  has  subsided,  give  the  following  tonic :  — 
Gentian,  two  drachms  ;  tartrate  of  iron,  one  drachm ;  gin- 
ger, one  drachm ;  mix,  and  give  once  or  twice  a  day,  in 
a  quart  of  gruel. 

As  the  animal  may  not  eat  hard  food,  on  account  of 
soreness  in  the  mouth,  give  soft  food,  and  offer  gruel ; 
and  if  he  will  not  drink  it,  pour  it  down  his  throat  two 
or  three  times  a  day. 

Mind  that  no  matter  from  the  blain  fall  on  any  sore 
place  on  the  hands,  as  it  will  cause  ulcers,  —  for  cure  of 
which,  apply  lunar  caustic. 

BLACK  TONGUE. 

[See  page  146.]  We  cured  cattle  of  this  disease,  and 
prevented  its  spreading,  as  follows  :  —  The  head  ox  was 
first  violently  seized,  so  that  he  could  hardly  eat  for  sev- 
eral days.  The  whole  stock  were  fed  liberally  with 
potatoes,  with  a  good  portion  of  salt.  In  a  short  time 
the  second  ox  was  attacked,  but  not  more  than  half  so 
severely.  The  next  animal  had  it  quite  mild,  and  it 
tapered  off  to  nothing,  being  barely  perceptible  in  the 
fifth,  where  it  ended.     They  all  soon  recovered. 

HOVEN,   OR  BLOAT. 

This  disease  is  caused  by  turning  cattle  from  short 
pastures,  or  when  empty,  upon  luxuriant  clover.  They 
eat  to  excess,  and  as  the  large  mass  of  food  is  not 
readily  digested,  fermentation  takes  place,  evolving 
large  quantities  of  carbonic  gas:  the  stomach  swells 
almost  to  bursting,  pressing  upon  the  lungs,  and  pre- 
18* 


210  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

venting  their  expansion,  and  if  not  relieved,  the  anima 
dies  of  suffocation.  Other  tender  and  luxuriant  grasses 
as  well  as  potatoes,  turnips,  and  other  succulent  food 
will  produce  this  disorder,  when  taken  in  excess 
Horned  cattle  are  most  liable  to  this  disease  ;  sheep  and 
swine  are  also  subject  to  it,  and  horses  do  not  always 
escape. 

Prevention.  Do  not  turn  cattle  upon  luxuriant  feed 
until  the  dew  or  rain  is  exhaled  ;  and  if  changed  from  a 
lean  pasture,  or  when  empty,  allow  them  to  remain  but 
a  short  time,  especially  at  first.    Give  salt  often. 

Symptoms.  The  paunch  is  swelled  enormously,  in 
severe  cases,  i"  the  last  stages  of  this  disease,  the 
tongue  hangs  out  of  the  mouth ;  the  eyes  are  protru- 
berant,  and  the  rectum,  or  last  gut,  is  distended  exter- 
nally ;  and  the  beast  Mis,  and  exhibits  signs  of  the  most 
severe  pain. 

Treatment.  In  mild  cases,  or  in  the  first  stages  of 
almost  any  case,  drenches  of  various  kinds  will  afford 
relief;  but  in  a  severe  case,  far  advanced,  the  passages 
of  the  stomach  are  not  only  si  -^ed  by  the  great  disten- 
tion, but  the  stomach  is  so  full  tuat  medicines  will  not 
have  their  usual  effect ;  and  sometimes,  without  imme- 
diate relief,  by  the  probang,  or  by  tapping,  the  animal 
must  die.  A  leaden  tube  may  be  useJ  to  open  a  pas- 
sage to  the  stomach,  and  the  medicine  may  be  turned 
down  through  it.  In  some  cases,  farmers  have  opened 
a  passage  with  a  flexible  stick,  and  let  off  :he  gas,  and 
in  this  way  a  passage  may  be  opened  for  med-cine.  All 
medicines  given  for  this  disease  should  be  pou  -d  down 
suddenly,  that  they  may  enter  the  paunch.  [S  *age 
185.] 

Remedy.     Make  a  quart  of  lye  of  wood  ashes,    ■'d 
turn  it  down.    Judge  by  the  taste  whether  it  is  as  str* 
as  can  be  taken  safely.    The  alkali  neutralizes  the  gase 
and  the  swelling  subsides. 

Another.  Give  volatile  spirit  of  ammonia,  a  table 
spoonful  to  an  ox  or  a  cow. 

Another.  Give  a  tea-cupful  of  spirits  of  turpentine 
diffused  in  oil.  In  this  way,  several  pairs  of  oxen  were 
saved,  in  very  severe  cases,  which  it  was  thought  would 
prove  fatal.     The  turpentine  is  mo.  e  safe  in  oil. 


NEAT    CATTLE.  211 

Another.  Give  a  dose  of  rennet,  about  twice  as 
much  as  used  for  a  common-sized  cheese. 

Another.  Give  a  good  strong  dose  of  thoroughwort 
tea,  with  a  little  tansy. 

Another.     Give  a  large  dose  of  salt. 

Another.  The  infusion  of  camphor,  as  recommend- 
ed for  vomiting  in  cattle.     [See  page  195.] 

Another.  Incorporate,  over  a  fire,  a  pint  of  sharp 
vinegar  and  half  a  pound  of  hog's  lard,  and  add  more 
vinegar,  that  it  may  not  burn.  Col.  S.  Jaques,  of  the 
Ten  Hills  Farm,  Somerville,  distinguished  for  his  atten- 
tion to  stock,  has  used  a  pint  of  vinegar  with  success. 

Another.  Give  two  drachms  of  chloride  of  lime,  dis- 
solved in  two  quarts  of  water. 

Another.  Give  a  pint  of  gin,  or  a  good  dose  of  any 
ardent  spirit. 

Another.  Twist  a  band  hard,  place  it  in  the  mouth, 
and  tie  the  ends  tight  over  the  top  of  the  head.  Chew- 
ing the  band  gives  a  motion  that  causes  gas  to  escape. 

Another.  Draw  the  tongue  out  suddenly  and  forci- 
bly, which  causes  eructations  of  gas. 

Another.  In  tapping,  the  operation  is  performed  on 
the  left  side,  between  the  last  rib  and  hip-bone,  a  little 
nearer  the  former.  It  should  be  done  two  or  three 
inches  deep,  in  order  to  reach  the  paunch.  A  trocar, 
such  as  used  in  tapping  for  dropsy,  should  be  inserted, 
or  an  elder  or  other  quill  may  be  used  to  conduct  out 
the  gas  and  contents  of  the  stomach  that  may  escape. 
After  the  gas  has  escaped,  apply  to  the  orifice  an  adhe- 
sive plaster.  Shoemaker's  wax  will  answer.  Although 
this  may  at  first  relieve  and  seem  to  cure,  yet  bad  conse- 
quences sometimes  result  from  it,  that  are  not  known 
until  weeks  or  months  afterwards.  As  the  paunch  sub- 
sides, leaving  the  ilank,  gas  and  particles  of  food  may 
be  thrown  into  the  abdomen,  unless  a  trocar  is  carefully 
used. 

Another.  The  surest  and  most  speedy  remedy  is  the 
stomach-pump,  or  the  probang,  by  which  the  gas  is  let 
off,  and  immediate  relief  given  ;  and  then  the  fermenta- 
tions may  be  checked  by  some  alkali  or  stimulus,  and 
the  contents  of  the  stomach  carried  cff  by  a  dose  of 


212  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

physic.  The  probang  is  a  leather  tube,  one  and  a  half 
inches  in  diameter ;  it  may  be  made  stiff  enough  to  enter 
the  stomach  by  inserting  in  it  a  rod  or  stick.  At  the 
insertion  end  of  the  probang,  there  should  be  a  leaden 
tube,  with  holes  in  it.  The  distance  from  the  teeth  to 
the  stomach  of  a  large  ox  is  six  feet. 

When  cattle  have  suffered  a  severe  attack,  the  stom- 
ach will  be  weak  for  some  time,  and  they  should  be  fed 
lightly,  and  have  a  good  dose  of  herb  drink  daily,  for 
several  days. 

ULCERS. 

When  ulcers  break  out,  physic,  but  do  not  bleed.  Fo- 
ment with  warm  water,  and  wash  in  soap  suds;  and 
apply  equal  parts  of  turpentine,  hartshorn,  and  campho- 
rated spirits.  Wash  the  ulcers  several  times  a  day  in  a 
solution  of  chloride  of  lime.  Give  mashes  and  thick 
gruel.  A  poultice  made  of  the  soft  pulp  of  roasted  car- 
rots is  excellent  for  old  sores  and  ulcers. 

MILK  SICKNESS. 

This  name,  together  with  "Trembles,"  has  been 
applied  to  a  peculiar  and  most  malignant  disease,  occur- 
ring in  some  sections  of  the  Western  States,  affecting 
horses,  cattle,  sheep  and  goats,  and  persons  who  use  the 
meat  or  dairy  products  of  infected  cattle.  It  prevails 
more  or  less  in  all  the  Western  Stales,  and  extends  as  far 
south  as  Mississippi.  It  is  most  common  in  Indiana  and 
Illinois  ;  never  occurs  east  of  the  Alleghany  Mountains. 
Among  early  settlers  it  made  dreadful  ravages,  and  often 
caused  the  breaking  up  of  communities,  and  seeking 
more  favorable  locations. 

Animals  may  be  so  much  diseased  that  their  flesh  and 
milk  will  affect  persons  partaking  of  it,  and  yet  the' ani- 
mals themselves  exhibit  no  evident  symptoms  of  disor- 
der. The  latent  disease  may  be  discovered  by  subjecting 
the  animals  to  violent  exercise,  that  will  bring  on  tre- 
mors, spasms,  convulsions,  or  death,  according  to  the 
amount  of  disease  ;  in  this  way  butchers  try  suspected 
animals. 


NEAT    CATTLE. 


213 


Symptoms  generally  exhibit  themselves  but  a  short 
time  before  the  disease  becomes  violent.  The  animal 
walks  about  without  any  apparent  object  in  view ;  all 
food  is  refused,  and  there  is  evidence  of  impaired  vision. 
The  eye  is  first  of  a  fiery  appearance,  increasing  to  a 
deepened  red  color,  until  the  animal  staggers  and  falls, 
when,  if  he  rises,  there  will  be  trembling  in  the  whole  of 
the  muscular  system.  He  usually  dies  after  a  few  con- 
vulsions, seldom  lingering  beyond  a  few  hours.  Some- 
times he  falls  suddenly,  as  if  from  a  heavy  blow,  and 
expires  in  a  few  minutes. 

Cause.  Numerous  investigations  have  been  made  by 
practical,  observing  men,  and  by  men  of  science,  ana- 
lyzing soils,  waters,  and  plants,  and  rewards  have  been 
offered  by  legislatures,  and  yet  no  satisfactory  cause  has 
been  assigned  for  this  terrible  malady  ;  but  of  late  years 
it  is  supposed  to  be  caused  by  poison  oak,  (  Ei/s  toxicoden- 
dron,) a  shrub  that  grows  from  one  to  three  feet  high,  and  is 
peculiar  to  flat  lands,  as  this  disease  prevails  only  where 
this  plant  is  found.  It  disappears  before  good  cultiva- 
tion ;  hence  its  greater  prevalence  in  new  countries. 

As  to  a  remedy,  it  is  very  seldom  found.  It  is  said 
that  if  the  bowels  can  be  opened,  the  animal  generally 
recovers  ;  but  this  is  very  difficult  indeed.  First,  attend 
to  back-raking,  and  then  give  several  large  injections 
with  a  double  quantity  of  Cayenne  pepper  or  tobacco,  to 
excite  a  discharge  from  the  bowels.  Then  give  a  large 
dose  of  physic,  of  one  kind,  and  follow  with  half  doses 
or  more,  of  other  kinds,  at  intervals  of  four  or  five  hours. 
Give  also  a  diuretic.  In  addition,  steam  or  sweat  the 
animal  smartly,  by  standing  him  over  vessels  of  hot 
water,  to  which  add  hot  stones,  to  keep  up  the  heat,  and 
lay  rugs  or  quilts  over  him,  to  hold  the  steam,  and  apply 
cloths  from  hot  water  to  the  extremities,  that  do  not  have 
the  benefit  of  the  steaming.  This  steaming  and  sweat- 
ing will  aid  in  the  operation  of  the  medicine,  and  be 
beneficial  also  from  the  perspiration  and  warmth  at  the 
surface.  At  the  time  of  steaming,  it  would  be  well  to 
pour  down  several  quarts  of  quite  warm  sage,  penny- 
royal, or  other  hot  herb  tea,  to  which  add  a  little  Cay- 
enne. This  will  tend  to  excite  the  action  of  the  stom- 
ach, and  increase  the  perspiration. 


214  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


BLOODY  MURRAIN. 

Cause.  A  disordered  state  of  the  digestive  organs, 
brought  on  by  an  unwholesome  state  of  the  atmosphere, 
or  by  feeding  on  unhealthy  pastures  of  low,  damp,  cold 
meadows,  infested  by  aquatic  plants,  which,  taken 
into  the  stomach,  become  indigestible  and  putrid,  and 
thus  engender  disease ;  for  cattle  are  affected  on  various 
low  land  pastures,  while  they  have  escaped  in  interme- 
diate pastures  of  high  lands.  Bad  water  promotes  it. 
Some  attribute  this  disease  to  the  overflowing  of  the 
gall,  (which  is  only  a  secondary  cause,)  affecting  the 
liver,  and  causing  leeches  therein,  and  a  flow  of  blood 
outward  or  inward.  In  this  country  it  is  most  common 
in  new  sections,  in  the  western  region,  where  cattle  run 
in  the  woods.  One  writer  thinks  that  a  sudden  change 
of  food,  from  green  to  dry,  and  the  reverse,  or  other 
changes  of  food,  will  cause  this  complaint;  hence  its 
common  occurrence  in  spring  and  fall. 

Symptoms.  Decrease  of  appetite,  stretching  of  the 
neck,  shaking  of  the  head,  drooping  of  the  ears,  dulness 
of  the  eyes,  and  deafness.  These  signs  increase  for 
several  days ;  then  ensue  stupidity,  unwillingness  to 
move,  great  debility,  total  loss  of  appetite,  running  at 
the  nose  and  eyes,  a  husky  cough,  shivering,  sometimes 
sickness  and  throwing  up  of  bile,  pulse  quick,  contracted 
and  uneven,  a  constant  diarrhoea  of  green  excrements, 
and  frequently  bloody  matter  in  the  excrements  and 
urine,  a  stinking  breath,  a  nauseous  steam  from  the 
skin  that  infects  the  air.  tumors  or  boils  under  the  fleshy 
membrane  of  the  skin,  and  eruptions  appear  all  along 
the  skin.  These  symptoms  generally  increase  for  about 
a  week,  when  the  crisis  takes  place  for  the  better  or 
worse.  In  the  last  stages,  bloody  matter  is  often  dis- 
charged from  the  mouth  and  nostrils.  Sometimes  the 
attack  comes  on  very  suddenly,  and  the  animal  seldom 
lives  more  than  twelve  to  thirty-six  hours  after  the 
bloody  discharges  commence,  and  these  may  be  the 
first  symptoms  noticed. 

Preventives.    Air-slaked  lime,  or  wood  ashes.    These 


NEAT   CATTLE.  215 

correct  the  foul  acid  matter  in  the  stomach.  Salt  freely 
as  a  preventive.  Give  pure  water,  if  possible.  Sulphur 
is  good.  So  is  tar.  Give,  from  a  gill  to  half  a  pint  to 
each  grown  animal,  every  two  or  three  weeks.  Rub  tar 
on  the  head,  between  the  horns,  and  on  the  nose.  A 
writer  in  Ohio  says  that  he  used  salt  and  air-slaked 
lime  with  good  success  for  twenty  years.  The  alkali 
prevents  the  enlargement  of  the  gall.  A  writer  in  the 
u  American  Farmer  "  gave  his  cattle  a  little  slaked  lime 
with  their  salt,  two  or  three  times  a  week,  and  thus  pro- 
tected them,  while  his  neighbors  lost  many,  sometimes 
nearly  all,  by  this  disease.  In  one  case,  a  farmer  lost  all 
his  cattle  by  murrain,  while  the  cattle  of  a  neighbor,  to 
which  he  gave  salt  and  lime  every  morning,  all  escaped, 
though  daily  running  among  those  that  died. 

Treatment.  It  is  best  to  pay  particular  attention  to 
preventives,  as  this  disease  is  difficult  to  cure,  or  seldom 
cured  in  severe  cases.  As  soon  as  an  animal  is  infected, 
remove  it  from  the  rest  into  a  well-ventilated  shed  or 
house.  Bleeding  copiously  is  recommended ;  but  do  this 
early.  "Wash  the  body  all  over  with  lukew"  n  water 
and  vinegar,  and  rub  the  skin  frequently,  th«,i  the  pores 
may  be  opened.  Make  a  rowel  in  the  dewlap,  and  keep 
it  open  until  a  cure  is  effected.  If  the  dung  be  hard  and 
dry,  which  may  be  the  case  in  the  first  symptoms,  give 
a  cooling  purge,  such  as  salts.  In  case  of  very  obsti- 
nate constipation  of  the  bowels,  back-rake,  and  give 
exciting  injections  before  giving  physic. 

Give  a  drink  of  bran  and  water,  lukewarm,  but  give 
no  hay  until  the  animal  is  sufficiently  recovered  to  chew 
the  cud.  When  a  purging  comes  on  voluntarily,  check 
it  by  giving  four  ounces  of  powdered  chalk,  two  ounces 
of  powdered  anise-seed,  cne  ounce  of  powdered  ginger, 
and  one  drachm  of  opium,  cut  fine,  mixed  in  a  quart  ot 
warm  gruel.  In  all  cases,  give  physic  and  laxative  food 
when  there  is  costiveness ;  and  when  there  is  diarrhoea, 
check  it  gradually,  avoiding  extremes. 

Caution.  All  the  litter  about  a  sick  animal  should 
be  burned,  and  all  the  cattle  that  die  of  the  complaint 
should  be  buried  five  feet  deep,  to  prevent  the  effiuvia 
rising  from  the  carcass  and  spreading  the  infection. 


216  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

Another  Remedy.  Mr.  Brooks,  of  Princeton,  whom 
we  have  already  quoted,  bleeds,  in  the  first  stages,  till 
the  animal  falters,  and,  when  diarrhoea  prevails,  gives 
'.me  ounce  of  chloride  of  lime  and  one  drachm  of  opium. 
To  prevent  constipation  following,  give  bran  mashes 
and  other  laxative  food,  and  if  this  treatment  does  not 
prevent  too  sudden  a  check  to  the  looseness,  give  two  or 
three  ounces  of  salts  daily.     Dissolve  the  opium  in  water 

Another.  Make  an  infusion  of  half  a  pint  of  cedar 
berries  in  a  quart  of  water,  and  give  it  as  a  drench.  A 
considerable  discharge  from  the  bladder  and  bowels  will 
follow  and  give  relief,  and  a  cure  often  follows.  In 
severe  cases,  it  may  be  necessary  to  repeat  the  dose  four 
or  five  times. 

Another.  Boil  half  a  pound  of  garget  root,  poke 
berry,  {Phytolacca  decandra,)  in  two  quarts  of  water,  to 
one  quart,  and  pour  it  down  when  warm.  Repeat  once 
a  day,  till  cured.  It  may  be  well  to  give  this  in  two 
doses,  with  an  interval  of  a  few  hours,  as  very  power- 
ful decoctions  have  killed  animals. 

Another.  Melt  one  pint  of  fat ;  add  one  gill  of  tur- 
pentine and  half  a  pound  of  sulphur.  Stir  till  thin,  and 
turn  it  down  the  throat. 

Another.  Bleed  freely,  in  the  first  stages,  and  give 
a  liberal  supply  of  salt. 

Another.     Give  soot  and  salt. 

Another.  It  is  said  that  a  few  doses  of  sugar,  one 
pound  each,  have  cured  in  severe  cases.  Give  with  a 
plenty  of  warm  water. 

Murrain  in  Man.  A  man,  in  skinning  a  cow  that 
died  of  the  murrain,  cut  a  little  gash  in  his  hand  ;  it 
.swelled  up  immediately,  and  caused  his  death.  Two 
pigs  that  ate  the  flesh  of  the  cow  died  also.  Another 
man,  who  assisted  in  skinning  the  cow,  had  a  scratch 
or  pimple  on  his  hand,  to  which  the  matter  was  com- 
municated, and  his  situation  became  critical. 

In  England,  this  disease  is  considered  not  merely  an 
epidemic,  but  infectious  ;  this  is  the  general  opinion  of 
veterinary  surgeons  throughout  the  country  ;  conse- 
quently, the  well  cattle  are  separated  from  the  affected. 
One  gentleman  caused  the  cows  on  his  estate  to  be  inoc- 


NEAT    CATTLE.  217 

ulated  with  the  vaccine  virus,  (pus,)  which  appeared  to 
operate  as  a  preventive ;  for  although  his  neighbors' 
cows  were  dying  around  him,  not  one  of  his  —  seven  in 
number  —  evinced  the  slightest  symptoms  of  murrain. 

In  Europe,  this  plague  has  prevailed  occasionally  for 
thousands  of  years,  and  frequently  with  great  malignity. 
In  the  spring  of  1714,  more  than  70,000  cattle  died  of 
this  disease  in  England.  In  1745  it  made  a  second  sad 
visitation  in  Holland,  and  destroyed  200,000  cattle.  In 
1747, 40,000  in  one  county,  and  30,000  in  another  county, 
in  England,  died  of  this  pest,  in  one  year.  Last  sum- 
mer and  fall  it  was  very  fatal  in  some  parts  of  England 
and  Scotland.  Two  cow-feeders  in  the  vicinity  of  Glas- 
gow lost  500  cows.  Some  lost  their  entire  stock.  This 
disease  originates  from  various  causes  ;  the  animals  are 
variously  affected,  and,  of  course,  the  symptoms  and 
remedies  vary.  Several  disorders  are  classed  under 
this  general  head. 

RED-WATER,   OR  BLOODY  MURRAIN. 

This  disease,  in  some  respects,  as  to  causes,  symp- 
toms, nature,  and  remedies,  resembles  that  last  de- 
scribed, and  they  are,  in  some  cases,  evidently  blended 
together.  Red-water  is  of  two  kinds,  acute  and  chronic. 
The  causes  are  different ;  they  have  their  seat  in  differ- 
ent organs,  and  the  symptoms  and  remedies  vary.  Yet 
some  writers  comfound  and  blend  them  together. 

ACUTE    RED-WATER. 

Causes.  Cows  in  too  high  condition  are  subject  to 
this  disease  a  week  or  two  before  calving,  and,  at  other 
times,  a  few  days  after  calving,  when  they  have  not  been 
cleansed  well,  and  have  not  had  any  purgative,  which 
should  always  follow  parturition  in  animals  of  high  con- 
dition. Owing  to  the  redundancy  of  blood,  it  is  strongly 
determined  to  the  womb,  and  the  kidneys  participate  in 
this  inflammation,  and,  by  unusual  secretions,  throw  off 
the  redundant  blood  in  the  urine.  It  is  also  caused  by 
external  injuries,  such  as  severe  blows  in  the  region  of 
the  kidneys,  and  violent  bruises  about  the  loins,  from 
19 


218  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

the  ramping  of  animals.  The  over-driving  of  oxen 
causes  inflammation  of  the  kidneys.  It  is  sometimes 
caused  by  atmospheric  influence,  and  by  moist,  swampy 
pasturage. 

Symptoms.  The  first  evident  symptom  of  this  dis- 
ease is  generally  the  discharge  of  bloody  urine,  but  it  is 
usually  preceded  by  dysentery,  which  is  changed  to 
obstinate  costiveness,  and  as  soon  as  costiveness  is 
established,  red-water  appears.  Other  symptoms  are, 
feverishness,  shivering,  succeeded  by  increased  heat, 
laborious  breathing,  dry  muzzle,  heaving  at  the  flanks, 
ceasing  to  ruminate,  bowed  back,  cold  extremities,  hot 
mouth,  tenderness  of  the  loins,  straining  to  void  urine, 
which  is  in  small  quantity  and  expelled  by  force,  highly 
tinged  with  blood,  and  sometimes  it  is  almost  pure  blood. 
It  often  runs  its  course  with  fearful  rapidity.  Sometimes 
the  animal  dies  in  a  few  days  ;  at  other  times,  she  con- 
tinues ten  or  twelve  days. 

Treatment.  Bleed  or  sweat  very  early.  This  will 
reduce  the  action  on  the  kidneys.  Then  give  physic. 
If  the  physic  does  not  operate  in  due  time,  back-rake ; 
give  clysters  —  exciting  ones,  if  necessary  ;  repeat  the 
physic  in  partial  doses,  of  a  different  kind,  if  convenient, 
and  give  with  it  sage,  pennyroyal,  or  other  warming 
herb  tea,  and  a  little  ginger. 

Another.  Bleed  or  sweat,  give  six  ounces  of  salts, 
one  ounce  of  saltpetre,  six  ounces  of  linseed,  castor  or 
olive  oil,  in  one  pint  of  whey  or  gruel. 

CHRONIC    RED-WATER. 

This  is  most  common  in  cows  of  weak  constitutions, 
and  in  calves.  In  its  first  stages,  it  is  far  more  a  dis- 
ease of  the  digestive  organs  than  of  the  kidneys.  The 
following  causes  are  assigned :  relaxed  vessels  ;  thin 
blood ;  cold ;  change  from  poor  to  rich  pasture ;  luxuri- 
ous pasture  for  cows  recently  dried,  anil  scarcity  of  water 
In  a  long,  dry  summer.  Some  of  these  are  only  secondary 
causes,  and  there  are  doubtless  various  other  primary 
causes,  among  which  is  the  want  of  exercise. 

Symptoms.  The  urine  is  of  a  brown  color,  or  brown 
tinged  with  yellow.     The  beast  feeds  nearly  as  well  as 


NEAT    CATTLE.  219 

before,  but  ruminates  more  lazily.  In  lew  days  a  natu- 
ral diarrhoea  comes  on,  and  then  the  animal  is  well 
again ;  or  a  purgative  is  given,  and  a  cure  is  soon 
effected. 

At  other  times  the  animal  is  dull,  heavy  and  languid ; 
the  ears  droop,  the  back  is  bowed,  she  separates  from  the 
herd,  refuses  food,  and  ceases  to  ruminate.  Again  she 
is  better,  and  then  suddenly  changes  to  worse  ;  the  urine 
assumes  a  dark  color,  resembling  foul  coffee  or  porter  ; 
it  increases  in  quantity,  and  is  sometimes  discharged 
with  difficulty  and  in  little  jets.  The  milk  diminishes, 
and  acquires  a  tinge  of  yellow  or  brown,  and  the  taste  is 
unpleasant.  The  pulse  is  accelerated  to  sixty  or  seventy 
beats  a  minute.  The  skin  is  yellow,  but  of  a  darker 
yellow  than  in  jaundice  ;  it  has  a  tinge  of  brown.  The 
urine  becomes  of  a  darker  hue,  and  is  almost  black. 
Sometimes  the  animal  shrinks  when  the  loins  are 
pressed,  but  not  usually,  nor  so  much  as  in  acute  red- 
water.  There  is  loss  of  condition  and  general  debility, 
and  the  legs  and  ears  are  cold.  In  every  stage  there  is 
costiveness  very  difficult  to  remove,  yet  generally  there 
was  violent  diarrhoea  at  the  beginning,  which  suddenly 
stopped.  The  dark  color  of  the  urine  is  caused  by  viti- 
ated bile,  not  by  blood,  as  in  acute  red-water. 

An  examination,  after  death,  shows  that  the  contents 
of  the  maryplus,  or  third  stomach,  are  perfectly  dry  and 
almost  as  hard  as  though  they  had  been  baked.  This 
is  doubtless  the  disorder  which  many  farmers  call  dry 
belly-ache;  and  some  call  it  dry  murrain.  The  liver 
is  inflamed,  and  darker  than  usual ;  the  gall  bladder  is 
full  to  distention,  and  the  bile  is  thick  and  black.  These 
circumstances  show  that  the  seat  of  the  disease  is  in  the 
liver,  and  that  the  gall  is  obstructed  in  its  passage  to  the 
intestines ;  and  indigestion  is  the  result. 

Remedy.  As  in  this  disease  constipation  of  the  bowels 
is  generally  obstinate,  back-rake,  and  give  an  exciting 
injection ;  then  give  a  good  dose  of  physic,  with  ginger, 
or  other  stimulant,  and  if  there  be  no  operation  in  six  or 
eight  hours,  repeat,  in  half  doses,  and  continue  mild 
injections  occasionally,  until  an  operation  of  the  physic. 
Give  also  warming  teas,  such  as  sage,  peppermint,  &c. 


220  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

Feed  on  laxative  food,  and  give  astringents,  as  for  jaun- 
dice, to  restore  the  digestive  organs  to  their  usual  tone 
and  action.  We  think  that  ashes  and  cider  would  be 
excellent.  [See  pages  118  and  119.]  Saltpetre,  in  doses 
of  an  ounce,  is  good.  Change  the  food,  and  remove  all 
cause  of  disease.     Small  doses  of  sulphur  are  good. 

Another.  Take  milk,  and  bring  it  to  a  curd  with 
rennet ;  mix  it  with  ash  leaves  and  nettle  seeds  chopped 
fine.    Give  it  in  food,  or  put  it  down  the  throat. 

Another.  Give  a  junk  bottle  full  of  train  oil.  This 
is  recommended  for  dry  murrain. 

BLACK  LEG,   OR  BLOOD. 

This  disease  is  also  called  Quarter  Evil,  Black  Quarter, 
and  Blood  Striking.  It  is  mostly  confined  to  young  cattle, 
between  one  and  two  years  old.  But  some  of  three, 
four,  and  older,  have  been  attacked  with  it.  Cows  giv- 
ing milk,  and  lean  cattle,  generally  escape.  It  is  most 
common  in  the  spring  or  early  summer,  when  the  feed 
is  luxuriant,  and  in  the  fall. 

Cause.  Very  high  feed,  by  which  the  animal  im- 
proves too  fast,  producing  a  redundancy  of  blood  and 
powerful  inflammation.  It  is  most  likely  to  attack  ani- 
mals suddenly  changed  from  poor  to  high  feed.  In 
England,  it  is  sometimes  produced  in  winter  by  high 
feeding  on  turnips.  It  prevails  most  in  low,  marshy 
pastures,  and  in  woodlands.  Fatigue  and  exhaustion 
from  long  journeys,  previous  to  high  feed,  is  a  cause. 
Owing  to  the  general  use  of  highland  pastures  in  this 
country,  this  disorder  is  not  so  common  here  as  in  Eu- 
rope. Acrimonious  or  poisonous  plants  and  unfavora- 
ble atmosphere  are  influences,  but  are  not  the  principal 
causes. 

Symptoms.  Dry  muzzle,  hot  breath,  protruding  eyes, 
extension  of  the  head ;  heaving  of  the  flanks  ;  quick  and 
hard  pulse,  and  every  symptom  of  high  fever.  He 
moans  lowly ;  is  half  unconscious  ;  wild ;  stands  for 
hours  motionless,  or  only  moves  by  compulsion  ;  there 
is  a  peculiar  staggering  in  the  hind  limbs,  and  in  one 
more  than  the  other.     He  shifts  his  weight  from  one 


NEAT    CATTLE.  221 

foot  to  the  other  ;  paws,  and  lies  down.  He  may  rise,  and 
then  drop  down  again.  Sometimes  there  is  swelling  on 
the  back  of  the  loins,  over  one  quarter,  which  at  first  is 
hot,  tender,  and  firm ;  but  it  soon  yields  to  the  touch,  and 
makes  a  crackling  noise.  One  of  the  limbs  enlarges, 
and  sometimes  enormously,  through  its  whole  extent. 
This  limb  is  also  first  hot,  tender,  and  firm,  and  then  it 
becomes  soft  and  flabby.  Large  ulcers  break  out  on  this 
limb,  and  become  mortified,  and  large  pieces  slough  off. 
The  breath  produces  a  horrible  stench,  and  sometimes 
bloody  fluid  runs  from  the  mouth ;  the  urine  is  high- 
colored  or  bloody,  and  the  faeces  are  streaked  with  blood, 
and  intolerable  in  stench.  In  so  bad  a  state,  the  ani- 
imal  generally  dies  suddenly ;  but  with  early  good  treat- 
ment, some  recover. 

Preventive.  From  what  has  been  said  of  the 
causes,  the  management,  in  order  to  prevent  this  dis- 
ease, is  very  evident.  When  animals  are  in  rich  feed, 
and  thriving  too  rapidly  for  health,  a  dose  of  physic, 
now  and  then,  will  be  a  good  preventive.  When  this 
disease  breaks  out  in  a  herd,  physic,  and  remove  to 
poorer  feed,  all  the  well  cattle  that  have  been  exposed  to 
the  same  causes. 

Remedy.  If  the  disease  be  known  on  the  first  attack, 
bleed  copiously.  But  do  not  bleed  after  it  has  advanced. 
Soon  after  bleeding,  give  physic,  with  ginger,  or  some 
aromatic.  In  case  of  constipation  or  other  cause,  if  the 
physic  does  not  operate,  give  injections,  and  repeat  half 
doses  of  physic.  After  the  physic  operates,  give  a  fever 
drink,  morning  and  evening,  as  follows :  —  tartar 
emetic,  one  drachm ;  powdered  digitalis,  half  a  drachm  ; 
saltpetre,  three  drachms ;  mix,  and  give  in  a  quart  of 
gruel.  Or  give  a  strong  decoction  of  raspberry  tea,  two 
or  three  quarts,  according  to  the  size  of  the  animal. 

At  the  first  attack,  foment  the  parts  most  affected,  sev- 
eral times  a  day.  Feed  very  lightly,  on  scalded  bran 
mashes,  &c.  When  the  fever  subsides,  and  the  animal 
revives,  omit  the  fever  drink,  unless  it  be  mild,  like  the 
tea.  Give,  for  awhile,  mild  tonics  and  loosening  food. 
It  would  be  well  to  put  a  seton  in  the  dewlap,  at  the 
beginning,  first  rubbing  it  in  blistering  ointment ;  and 
19* 


222  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

bathe  the  affected  parts  in  warm  vinegar,  saturated  with 
salt.  If  ulcers  appear,  apply  chloride  of  lime  in  a  poul- 
tice of  roasted  carrots. 

The  Putrid  Soke  Throat  is  doubtless  a  variety  of 
this  disease,  in  which  the  throat  is  the  part  most  severely 
attacked.  In  this  case,  in  addition  to  the  other  treat- 
ment, apply  to  the  throat  internally  some  astringent 
wash,  to  allay  the  inflammation,  and  externally  blister- 
ing ointment,  to  invite  the  blood  outward.  Give  soft 
food,  such  as  scalded  mashes,  and  gruel ;  and  if  the 
animal  cannot  drink,  turn  a  little  gruel  down  gently. 
Sometimes  the  sore  throat  may  be  regarded  as  belong- 
ing more  properly  to  the  bloody  murrain,  as  it  is  at  times 
a  symptom  of  that  disease. 

INFLAMMATION   OF   THE   BLADDER. 

This  disease  is  not  common  in  cattle,  excepting  from 
eating  poisonous  or  acrid  plants,  or  when  cows  are  near 
their  calving.  Sometimes  there  is  an  inflammation  of 
the  neck  of  the  bladder,  from  cold,  or  from  eating  hot 
and  stimulating  plants,  in  pasture,  (the  broom,  in  Eng- 
land, often  causes  it,)  which  causes  a  stricture,  and  pre- 
vents the  urine  escaping. 

It  is  important  to  distinguish  between  inflammation 
of  the  neck  of  the  bladder,  and  that  of  the  bladder  itself. 
When  the  neck  is  affected,  no  urine  will  be  discharged 
in  the  early  stage  of  the  disease  ;  but  when  the  bladder 
is  inflamed,  it  will  be  discharged  in  large  quantities, 
and  more  frequently  than  usual.  And  when  at  length, 
urine  is  voided,  in  case  of  inflammation  of  the  neck  of 
the  bladder,  it  is  after  much  straining,  and  forcibly 
squeezing  it  out  from  the  closed  but  distended  vessels. 
The  most  certain  way  to  determine  is  to  put  the  hand 
into  the  rectum,  and  if  the  neck  of  the  bladder  is  affected 
so  as  to  obstruct  the  passage  of  the  urine,  the  distended 
bladder  may  be  plainly  felt  under  the  hand. 

Remedy.  If  the  neck  of  the  bladder  be  inflamed,  it 
must  be  relaxed,  or  there  will  be  danger  of  the  bladder's 
bursting.  Sometimes,  liberal  bleeding  will  effect  this. 
Then  give  sulphur,  or  other  physic  that  has  no  diu- 
retic  quality.    Give   injections  into  the   anus,  which 


NEAT    CATTLE.  223 

may  have  a  good  effect  from  their  being  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  disease  ;  and  fomentations  should  be  used  freely 
as  nearly  as  possible  to  the  part  affected.  If  these 
means  fail,  a  cow  could  be  relieved  by  a  catheter  ;  but 
with  the  ox  it  is  difficult,  more  so  than  in  the  horse, 
owing  to  the  double  curvature  of  the  penis  and  urethra. 
It  requires  skill  and  experience.  Some  make  a  cut  at 
the  bend  of  the  urethra,  and  introduce  a  catheter;  but 
this  wound  is  difficult  to  heal.  The  hand  may  be  put 
into  the  fundament,  and  the  urine  gently  pressed  out. 

When  the  bladder  itself  is  inflamed,  which  is  more 
common,  bleed,  physic,  foment  across  the  loins,  and 
carefully  avoid  diuretics.  Clysters  are  good.  After  the 
operation  of  the  physic,  give  the  following :  —  Antimo- 
nial  powder,  two  drachms ;  powdered  opium,  one  scru- 
ple ;  rub  them  together  with  a  small  portion  of  thick 
gruel,  and  repeat  morning  and  night.  Sometimes  the 
peculiar  situation  of  cows  near  parturition  causes  an 
irritation  of  the  bladder,  which  will  cease  after  calving. 
[See  pages  132  to  138,  and  for  inflammation  of  the  kid- 
neys, see  page  217.] 

STUB   COMPLAINT. 

A  sandy  substance  collects  in  the  sheath,  where  the 
water  escapes,  and  the  disease  gives  pain  whenever  the 
ox  passes  his  water.  Cleanse  the  part  affected,  with 
soap  and  warm  water,  and  then  apply  a  solution  of 
sugar  of  lead,  or  alum,  or  a  very  strong  decoction  of 
raspberry  leaves,  or  other  astringent. 

INFLAMMATION   OF   THE    SHATE. 

Sometimes  the  external  parts  of  a  cow  become  in- 
flamed, and  there  is  a  discharge  of  glairy  fluid,  and 
occasionally  pustules  about  them  that  break  and  dis- 
charge matter.  This  may  occur  from  difficult  calving, 
or  from  taking  cold  after  easy  and  natural  calving,  it 
sometimes  occurs  at  other  times,  from  causes  not  well 
known.  The  cow,  in  such  cases,  suffers  greatly  by  the 
irritation. 


224  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

Remedy.  In  very  severe  cases,  bleed  or  sweat, 
at  first.  Give  physic,  and  if  there  be  costiveness, 
give  injections.  Foment  the  shape  several  times  a  day, 
in  a  strong  astringent  tea,  as  beech  bark,  raspberry,  or 
barberry,  and  continue  it  till  the  inflammation  abates. 
In  three  or  four  days,  it  may  be  necessary  to  repeat  the 
physic.  Give  Ught  food,  and  protect  from  exposure.  If 
gleet  continue  to  run  after  the  swelling  has  abated,  and 
the  ulcers  healed,  astringent  injections  into  the  parts 
affected  will  be  useful.  Vegetable  astringents  are  more 
soothing  than  alum  or  other  mineral  preparations. 

BOXE   DISORDER. 

This  disease  has  prevailed  some  ten  or  twenty  years 
in  some  sections,  and  long  before  that  time  it  existed  in 
a  milder  form.  It  is  common  only  to  milch  cows,  and 
they  recover  on  becoming  dry. 

Cause.  A  want  of  bone  earth,  or  phosphate  of  lime, 
and  carbonate  of  lime,  necessary  to  support  the  common 
wear  or  decay  of  the  bones.  Milch  cows  require  so  much 
of  the  phosphates  as  constituent  parts  of  milk,  that  there 
is  not  enough  to  repair  the  gradual  waste  of  the  bones  : 
hence  the  weakness  and  disorder  that  ensues,  which  may 
be  called  the  bone  disease.  This  disease  is  common  to 
old  sections  only,  as,  by  a  long  course  of  cropping,  the 
bone  earth  is  exhausted,  and  those  grasses  and  other 
food  containing  little  bone  earth  only  are  produced. 

One  hundred  parts  of  bones  contain  thirty-eight  parts 
of  phosphate  of  lime,  and  ten  parts  of  carbonate  of  lime  ; 
and  it  has  been  ascertained  that  twenty  gallons  of  milk 
contain  one  ounce  of  lime.  Cows  pastured  constantly 
on  land  will  carry  off  in  their  milk,  one  ton  of  bone 
earth  from  an  acre,  in  seventy-five  years  ;  hence  a  defi- 
ciency, and  this  disorder. 

Symptoms.  Weakness  in  the  bones  ;  falling  in  of  the 
sides ;  loss  of  appetite ;  dulness ;  general  debility,  and 
desire  to  eat  bones  when  cows  can  have  access  to  them. 

Preventives.  On  old  lands  use  bone  dust  or  ground 
bones,  guano,  lime,  and  plaster  for  manure,  and  then 
cultivate  those  grasses  and  plants  generally,  for  cattle 


NEAT    CATTLE.  225 

food,  which  take  up  largely  the  bone  earth,  or  phosphates, 
in  such  manures.  Clover  contains  more  lime  than  other 
grasses,  and  it  readily  takes  it  up  from  plaster.  Oats 
contain  more  lime  than  other  grain.  Ruta-bagas  abound 
in  lime  and  phosphoric  acid.  Many  pastures  and  mow- 
ing fields  may  be  greatly  and  cheaply  improved  by  plas- 
ter, and  for  many  crops,  especially  on  old  lands,  bones 
are  a  good  manure. 

Remedy.  Bone  meal  given  in  food,  about  a  pint  at  a 
time.  Some  soften  bones  by  soaking  in  a  lye  of  wood 
ashes,  and  then  give  them  to  cows.  Seven  pounds  of 
good  sulphuric  acid,  diluted  in  two  or  three  times  the 
quantity  of  water,  will  dissolve  a  bushel  of  ground  bones. 
Dilute  half  a  pint  of  this  in  water,  and  sprinkle  it  on  the 
fodder,  or  mix  with  meal  or  grain.  Care  should  be 
taken  that  the  bones  used  for  medicine  be  pure,  not  filthy 
from  putrid  animal  matter,  as  they  may  be  unhealthy, 
and  impart  bad  taste  and  impurities  to  milk.  Chalk  is 
good,  as  it  is  a  carbonate  of  lime.  Give  it  pounded, 
and  mixed  with  food,  or  lay  large  pieces  where  cattle 
can  lick  them ;  but  consider  that  it  is  astringent,  and 
use  laxative  food.  During  medical  treatment,  use,  as 
an  auxiliary,  food  that  contains  much  lime,  as  clover, 
oats,  potato  tops,  &c. 

TO   PREVENT   A   COW   SUCKING  HERSELF. 

Put  on  a  girth  as  tight  as  may  be  with  comfort.  Put 
straps  or  lines  on  each  side  the  girth,  and  carry  them 
upon  the  sides  of  the  neck,  and  fasten  them  on  the  sides 
of  the  head,  to  a  strap.  Put  one  strap  around  the  lower 
part  of  the  neck,  and  another  near  the  upper  part,  and 
fasten  these  straps  on  each  side  to  the  straps  that  extend 
up  from  the  girth,  to  keep  all  in  their  place.  If  well 
fitted,  a  cow  cannot  turn  her  head  round  far  enough  to 
help  herself  to  milk. 


226  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


KICKING  AND  REFRACTORY  COWS. 

Place  a  kicking  cow  in  a  stall,  with  a  beam  over 
head ;  fix  a  rope  round  her  horns,  throw  it  over  the 
beam,  and  pull  away  till  her  head  is  pretty  well  ele- 
vated, but  not  so  as  to  injure  her.  In  this  position  she 
cannot  kick,  and  will  give  down  her  milk.  If  a  cow  be 
refractory,  tie  her  to  some  place  so  that  you  can  rub  her 
all  over  ;  then  salt  her  from  your  hand ;  feed  her  from 
your  hand,  on  half  feed,  and  in  three  days  you  may  do 
as  you  please  with  her. 

TO  CAUSE   A  COW  TO  GIVE   DOWN  HER 
MILK. 

Sometimes  cows  refuse  to  give  down  their  milk,  for 
days  together,  from  the  loss  of  their  calves,  contrariness, 
or  other  cause.  This  is  liable  to  injure  their  health 
Deal  gently  with  them,  and  sit  down  and  perform  the 
operation  upon  the  teats  precisely  as  though  the  milk 
flowed.  Persevere,  and  it  will  come  after  a  while.  In 
this  way,  a  boy  nine  years  old  milked  cows  which  others 
could  not.  It  is  doubtless  an  effort  of  the  cow  to  hold 
up  her  milk,  which  soon  tires,  and  she  yields  to  nature 
after  a  short  restraint. 

FOR  COWS  DRYING  UP   SUDDENLY. 

A  cow  that  dried  up  suddenly  produced  a  return  of 
milk  in  a  short  time  after  administering  an  ounce  of 
saltpetre  in  a  quart  of  meal.  Diuretics  tend  to  a  flow 
of  milk. 

Another.  Give  to  the  cow,  two  or  three  mornings  in 
succession,  two  cubic  inches  of  garget  root,  [see  page 
199,]  cut  up  fine.    It  is  said  to  be  effectual. 

Another.  Put  a  young  calf  to  the  cow;  and  as  an 
auxiliary  to  any  other  means  that  may  be  used,  feed 
with  grass,  green  corn,  roots,  apples,  melons,  pumpkins, 
or  other  succulent  food  that  tends  to  a  flow  of  milk. 


NEAT    CATTLE.  227 


DRYING  UP  A  COW. 

Pour  two  quarts  of  soft  water  on  a  fresh  rennet  bag ; 
ooil  it  down  to  one  quart ;  strain  it,  let  it  cool  sufficiently 
and  give  it  to  the  cow,  and  she  will  generally  be  dry  in 
a  few  days.  If  she  will  not  drink  it,  it  may  be  turned 
down  her  throat. 

Another.  Take  an  ounce  of  powdered  alum,  boil  it 
in  two  quarts  of  milk  till  it  turns  to  whey ;  then  boil  in 
this  whey  a  large  handful  of  sage,  till  it  is  reduced  to 
one  quart ;  rub  the  cow's  udder  with  a  little  of  it,  and 
give  her  the  rest  to  drink.  First  milk  her  clean,  and 
afterwards  draw  a  little  milk  every  second  day,  lest  the 
udder  become  overcharged.  Repeat  the  dose  and  opera- 
tion if  necessary. 

If  the  bag  be  full  of  milk,  and  it  be  hot  and  inflamed, 
milk  her  and  repeat  the  astringent  dose. 

PERFORATING  COWS'   DUGS. 

It  sometimes  happens  that  when  cows  calve  their 
teats  are  hard  and  knotted,  and  the  passage  through 
them  becomes  impervious,  and  they  consequently  give 
no  milk. 

Remedy.  Make  a  small  skewer  of  whalebone,  or  of 
smooth  hard  wood,  anoint  it  with  goose  grease,  or  other 
soft  grease,  and  force  it  up  the  dug ;  take  it  out  daily 
and  anoint  it,  and  do  this  till  it  heals  round  the  skewer. 
This  course  is  attended  with  success. 

ABORTION,   OR   SLINKING  CALF. 

"  This  is  most  probably  occasioned  by  tying  up  cattle 
and  feeding  them  on  bad  hay  or  stale  grain,  and  should, 
therefore,  be  prevented  by  pursuing  a  better  method. 
Feeding  on  unwholesome  food,  with  want  of  exercise, 
occasions  indigestion  and  flatulency,  and  this  probably 
so  disturbs  the  young  calf  in  the  uterus,  as  to  cause 
either  abortion,  or  such  an  alteration  in  its  position  as 
to  render  delivery  difficult,  and  often   impracticable. 


22S  DISEASES    OF   ANIMALS. 

"When  a  cow  slips  a  calf,  and  anything  offensive  is  left 
in  the  field,  all  pregnant  cows  smelling  it  are  liable  to 
the  same.  Everything  that  is  of  an  offensive  smell, 
especially  putrid  flesh  or  blood,  should  always  be  care- 
fully removed.  In  Gloucestershire,  they  suffer  the  cows 
to  eat  the  afterbirth,  and  it  is  supposed  to  be  useful."  — 
White's  Cattle  Medicine. 

The  cow  is  more  subject  to  abortion  than  any  other 
domestic  animal.  Besides  the  causes  enumerated  above, 
there  are  various  others,  and  sometimes  the  cause  is 
hard  to  trace.  A  very  severe  blow  on  any  part  of  the 
body,  or  even  a  light  blow  on  the  nose,  is  liable  to  pro- 
duce it.  Various  diseases,  that  are  incident  to  cattle,  may 
cause  it.  Bad  water  is  often  a  cause.  A  farm  in  Eng- 
land had  been  given  up  by  three  farmers,  successively, 
on  account  of  losses  by  abortion.  The  cattle  drank  of  a 
stagnant  pond,  impregnated  with  dung  and  urine.  Wells 
were  then  dug,  the  pond  fenced  up,  and  abortion  disap- 
peared. Violent  exertion,  as  well  as  the  other  extreme, 
inaction,  is  a  cause.  The  extremes  of  starvation,  and 
plethora  from  luxuriant  pasture  or  high  feeding,  are 
causes  ;  also  the  extremes  of  exposure,  and  a  close,  hot 
stable.  Anything  that  seriously  affects  the  comfort 
or  health  of  the  animal  may  produce  it.  Sometimes  it 
seems  to  be  infectious,  as  when  one  cow  in  a  herd  mis- 
carries, others  are  soon  affected,  and  it  often  runs  nearly 
through  the  whole  herd.  In  this  case,  it  is  supposed  to 
be  caused  by  the  odor  produced.     [See  page  44.] 

Cows  are  most  liable  to  slink  their  calves  about  the 
middle  period  of  gestation.  If,  about  that  time,  a  cow  is 
uneasy,  feverish,  off  her  food,  or  wandering  about  for 
something  for  which  she  seems  to  have  a  longing,  or 
most  greedily  and  ravenously  devouring  some  particular 
kind  of  food,  she  should  be  physicked  immediately.  Give 
a  pound  of  Epsom  salts,  and  half  an  ounce  of  powdered 
caraway  seeds,  or  a  table  spoonful  of  ginger.  Give  warm 
drink  till  after  the  operation  of  the  physic :  then  give 
two  to  four  quarts  of  raspberry  tea,  or  other  sedative 
and  anodyne  medicines,  and  feed  moderately. 

Preventives.  Attend  to  numerous  directions  given 
in  this  work  for  the  preservation  of  health.     Avoid  all 


NEAT   CATTLE.  229 

extremes  m  feeding,  exercise,  heat  and  cold  ;  give  pure 
(bod,  water  and  air,  and  keep  the  bowels  open  by  roots, 
bran,  shorts  and  oil  meal ;  attend  to  currying  and  rub- 
bing :  manage  with  kindness,  gentleness  and  discretion, 
or  common  setae. 

MANAGEMENT   OF   COWS  BEFORE   CALVING. 

Great  evils  may  befall  the  cow  which  cannot  be  reme- 
died; therefore  prevent  them.  During  the  first  of  the. 
season  that  the  cow  is  going  with  young,  she  should  be 
pretty  well  kept,  for  she  has  to  provide  nourishment  for 
her  young,  and  a  supply  of  milk  for  the  dairy  ;  yet  the 
feed  should  not  be  very  high ;  she  should  be  kept  only  in 
gooa  condition. 

It  is  better  for  the  calf,  and  it  is  generally  better  for 
the  cow,  as  she  needs  a  little  respite  to  recruit  her,  and 
it  is  better  for  the  udder,  that  she  go  dry  as  long  as  six 
or  eight  weeks ;  and  during  a  short  period  previous  to 
calving,  the  milk  is  of  an  unnatural  taste,  and  inferior 
quality.  Many  cows  go  dry  longer,  even  three,  four  or 
five  months.  Three  months  is  not  an  unusual  time,  and 
there  can  be  no  great  objection  to  it,  when  milk  is  not 
much  wanted  in  the  family.  But  if  a  cow  goes  dry  a 
long  time,  she  is  more  liable  to  indurations  and  other 
affections  of  the  udder. 

If  she  is  kept  pretty  well  before  going  dry,  her  feed 
should  then  be  reduced,  or  it  should  be  less  rich ;  for 
being  too  fat  and  full  of  blood  at  the  time  of  calving,  is 
frequently  the  cause  of  difficult  labor,  garget,  milk  fever, 
and  sometimes  death.  High  feeding  and  consequent 
plethora  is  worse  than  starvation  and  its  concomitant 
poverty. 

After  the  cow  is  dry,  she  should  not  have  many  roots, 
apples,  pumpkins,  or  any  food  that  produces  a  large  flow 
of  milk,  lest  the  bag  become  too  much  distended  before 
calving,  and  the  udders  become  indurated  or  caked,  and 
garget  and  other  diseases  follow  in  their  train.  But  feed 
a  very  few  roots,  as  they  tend  to  keep  the  bowels  open, 
and  are  conducive  to  general  health.  The  best  are  car- 
rots, as  they  tend  to  keep  up  a  pretty  good  condition,  and 
20 


230  DISEASES    OF   ANIMALS. 

cause  less  flow  to  the  lacteal  secretions ;  and  the  rich- 
ness of  the  carrot,  as  to  causing  too  high  condition,  can 
be  counteracted,  if  necessary,  by  moderate  keeping  in 
other  food. 

Wheat  bran,  or  shorts,  is  a  very  good  light  laxative 
food,  and  may  be  given  without  fostering  too  high,  or 
tending  much  to  milk.  Some  straw,  of  a  pure  quality, 
may  be  given,  when  the  cow  is  becoming  too  fleshy 
on  hay.  When  at  grass,  if  she  is  becoming  fat,  put 
her  into  a  pasture  where  the  feed  is  not  very  luxuriant. 
But  give  tolerably  good  keep. 

It  is  better  for  cows  to  calve  without  a  very  full  udder  ; 
yet  with  precaution,  and  especially  when  they  calve  in 
summer,  amidst  full  feed,  their  udders  become  distended 
almost  to  bursting  before  calving.  In  such  cases,  the 
cow  should  be  milked,  and  she  should  be  pretty  well  fed, 
in  order  to  sustain  this  unusual  draught  and  her  young 
at  the  same  time  ;  but  the  food  should  be  dry,  and  such 
as  does  not  produce  much  milk.  Be  careful  and  not 
produce  costiveness  by  too  much  dry  food,  but  give 
shorts,  &c. 

MILKING  GOWS  BEFORE   CALVING. 

Sometimes,  from  high  feeding,  or  from  rich  pasturage, 
heifers  and  cows  have  their  udders  so  distended  with 
milk  before  calving,  that  there  is  much  pain  and  great 
danger  of  matter  forming  in  them,  and  causing  them  to 
break.  Therefore,  it  sometimes  becomes  necessary  to 
milk  them  before  calving.  When  running  in  luxuriant 
pastures,  and  they  calve  in  summer,  it  is  often  necessary 
to  milk  them  a  few  days,  and  occasionally  a  week  or 
ten  days,  before  calving.  Sometimes  it  has  become 
necessary  to  milk  a  cow  regularly  two  or  three  weeks 
before  calving,  and  no  injury  seemed  to  result  from  it. 

It  is  stated  in  the  "  Tennessee  Agriculturist,"  that  a 
Durham  heifer  was  affected  in  this  way  previous  to  her 
having  the  first  calf.  It  commenced  nearly  three  months 
before  calving,  and  it  gradually  increased  for  about  two 
months,  when  the  udder  was  enormously  swollen  and 
inflamed.     She  was  then  milked,  and  gave  sixteen  or 


NEAT  CATTLE.  231 

eighteen  quarts  a  day  until  she  calved.    The  calf  found 
the  udder  in  a  fine  condition. 

MANAGEMENT  AT  CALVING. 

A  short  time  before  calving,  turn  the  cow  loose  into 
a  pen  or  room  by  herself,  that  is  level  and  dry.  She 
should  be  seen  to  frequently,  but  in  such  a  way  that  she 
shall  not  think  that  she  is  watched,  as  in  such  cases  ani- 
mals seek  retirement.  We  copy  the  following  from 
Clater,  the  distinguished  English  veterinarian  : 

"The  usual  symptoms  of  the  approach  of  calving  are 
uneasiness,  slight  lifting  of  the  tail,  lying  down  and 
getting  up,  the  evident  labor-throe,  gentle  at  first,  and 
increasing  in  force,  and  the  commencement  of  the  pro- 
trusion of  the  membranes  from  her  shape.  The  still 
earlier  symptoms,  and  preceding  the  labor  by  a  few 
days,  are  enlargement  of  the  udder,  and  redness  of  the 
space  between  her  shape  and  the  udder. 

"The  labor  having  actually  commenced,  the  mem- 
branes will  more  and  more  protrude,  until  they  break, 
and  the  fluid  by  which  the  calf  was  surrounded  will 
escape.  If  her  pains  are  strong,  the  cow  should  for  a 
while  be  scarcely  meddled  with ;  but  if  an  hour  or  more 
elapses,  and  no  portion  of  the  calf  presents  itself,  the 
hand,  well  greased,  should  be  introduced,  in  order  to 
ascertain  the  situation  and  position  of  the  calf.  The 
natural  position  is  with  the  fore  feet  presenting,  and  the 
muzzle  lying  upon  the  fore  legs.  If  the  fcetus  is  found 
in  this  position,  and  advanced  into  the  passage,  some 
time  longer  should  be  allowed  to  see  what  nature  will 
do ;  and  the  strength  of  the  animal  may,  if  necessary, 
be  supported  by  some  gruel,  with  which  a  pint  of  warm 
ale  has  been  mixed,  being  horned  down.  As  soon,  how- 
ever, as  the  throes  begin  to  weaken,  and  before  that,  it 
no  progress  has  been  made,  manual  assistance  must  be 
rendered. 

"Here  it  will  be  recollected  that  there  are  two  objects 
to  be  accomplished,  —  the  saving  of  the  lives  of  both  the 
mother  and  the  young  one,  —  and  that,  consequently,  the 
means  at  first  employed  should  be  gentle.    The  hand 


232  DISEASES    OF   ANIMALS. 

should  be  introduced,  and  the  fore  legs  of  the  calf  laid 
hold  of  and  drawn  down,  the  efforts  of  the  operator  being 
employed  at  the  moment  of  the  throes  of  the  mother.  If 
the  legs  are  brought  forward  a  little  way,  care  should  be 
taken  that  the  head  is  accompanying  them.  The  hand 
will  sometimes  be  sufficient  for  this  purpose.  If  the 
head  cannot  be  moved  by  the  hand,  a  cord  must  be  pro- 
cured with  a  slip-knot  at  the  end,  which  is  to  be  passed 
carefully  into  the  passage,  and,  the  mouth  of  the  young 
animal  being  opened,  fastened  round  his  lower  jaw. 
The  end  of  this  must  be  given  to  an  assistant,  who 
should  be  instructed  to  pull  gently,  but  firmly,  at  the 
moment  of  the  throes,  while  the  principal  operator  is 
endeavoring  to  draw  on  the  feet. 

"  Should  not  this  succeed,  it  will  appear  that,  either 
from  the  narrowness  of  the  pelvis,  or  the  size  of  the 
foetus,  there  will  be  difficulty  and  danger  in  accomplish- 
ing its  extraction.  The  operator  must  then  begin  to 
think  less  of  the  safety  of  the  calf,  and  endeavor  to 
secure  that  of  the  mother.  Two  other  large  cords  or 
ropes  must  be  procured,  and  one  fastened  round  each 
leg.  The  service  of  two  assistants  will  now  be  required. 
One  should  pull  at  the  head,  and  the  other  at  the  feet, 
while  the  operator  ascertains  the  progress  that  is  made  ; 
too  much  force,  however,  should  not  immediately  be 
used,  for  the  chance  of  saving  the  young  one  must  not 
yet  be  given  up.  This  not  succeeding,  greater  power 
must  be  apphed,  until  the  assistants  begin  to  use  their 
full  strength,  pulling  steadily,  and  with  the  pains  of  the 
cow,  if  they  still  continue. 

"  In  the  natural  position  of  the  calf,  the  young  one  is 
almost  uniformly  extracted  by  these  means,  and  its  life 
is  preserved ;  for  both  the  mother  and  her  progeny  will, 
without  serious  injury,  bear  the  employment  of  more 
force  than  would  by  some  be  thought  credible.  "When 
the  womb  is  unable  to  discharge  its  contents,  and  the 
throes  are  diminishing,  or  perhaps  ceasing,  much  benefit 
may  be  derived  from  the  administration  of  the  ergot  of 
rye,  which  appears  to  act  as  a  stimulus  specifically  on 
the  uterus  ;  two  drachms  of  this  medicine,  finely  pow- 
dered, may  be  given  in  a  pint  of  ale,  and  repeated  seve- 


NEAT   CATTLE.  233 

ral  times,  if  required,  with  intervals  from  half  an  hour 
to  an  hour. 

"  The  foetus  is  not,  however,  always  presented  natu- 
rally, and  it  is  the  duty  of  the  operator  to  ascertain  its 
exact  position  in  the  womb.  This  he  will  not  find  much 
difficulty  in  accomplishing. 

"The  most  usual  false  position  is  the  presentation  of 
the  head,  while  the  feet  of  the  calf  are  bent  and  doubled 
down  under  his  belly,  and  remain  in  the  womb.  A  cord 
must  be  passed  as  before  around  the  lower  jaw,  which  is 
then  to  be  pushed  back  into  the  womb.  The  operator 
now  introduces  his  hand,  and  endeavors  to  feel  the  situ- 
ation of  the  feet.  He  is  generally  able  to  find  them  out, 
and  to  fix  a  cord  round  each  pastern,  or  at  least  about  the 
knee,  and  then  he  can  usually  bring  them  into  the  pas- 
sage. The  head  is  next  to  be  brought  forward  again  by 
means  of  the  cord ;  and,  the  three  cords  being  afterwards 
pulled  together,  the  fetus  is  extracted.  Should  the  calf 
have  been  long  fixed  in  the  passage,  and  be  evidently 
much  swelled,  it  is  certainly  dead ;  the  head  may  then 
be  opened,  in  order  to  lessen  its  bulk,  and  the  extraction 
accomplished  as  before. 

"  When  the  feet  present,  and  the  head  is  doubled  under 
the  rim  of  the  passage,  the  case  is  more  difficult,  and 
the  calf  is  very  rarely  saved  ;  indeed,  it  may  be  reckoned 
to  be  dead  if  it  has  remained  in  this  position  for  any 
considerable  time.  Cords  are  first  to  be  placed  round 
the  feet ;  the  hand  must  be  afterwards  passed  into  the 
womb,  and  the  situation  of  the  head  exactly  ascertained, 
and  the  cord  passed  round  the  lower  jaw.  The  calf  be- 
ing then  pushed  further  back  into  the  womb,  the  head 
must  be  brought  into  the  passage,  and,  the  three  ropes 
being  pulled  together,  the  delivery  effected  as  quickly  as 
may  be,  without  the  exertion  of  more  force  than  is  neces- 
sary. 

"  The  last  false  presentation  I  shall  mention  is  that  of 
the  breech,  the  tail  appearing  at  the  mcuth  of  the  shape. 
The  hand  is  to  be  passed  into  the  uterus,  and  the  cords 
fastened  round  each  hock.  The  calf  is  then  to  be  pushed 
as  far  back  as  possible  into  the  womb,  and  the  hocks, 
one  after  the  other,  brought  into  the  passage,  the  ropes 
20* 


234  DISEASES   OF   ANIMALS. 

being  shifted  as  soon  as  possible  to  the  fetlock.  With 
the  exertion  of  considerable  force,  the  calf  may  now  be 
extracted,  and  sometimes  without  serious  injury. 

"  By  studying  these  cases,  the  operator  will  be  enabled 
to  adapt  his  measures  to  every  case  of  false  presenta- 
tion ;  and  they  are  numerous.  Great  force  must  some- 
times be  used  to  effect  the  extraction  of  the  calf.  The 
united  efforts  of  five  or  six  men  have  been  employed, 
and  (although  such  practice  can  scarcely  be  defended  in 
any  case)  a  horse  has  sometimes  been  attached  to  the 
cords.  The  foetus  has  been  necessarily  destroyed,  but 
the  mother  has  survived ;  too  often,  however,  she  has 
evidently  fallen  a  victim  to  this  unnecessary  violence. 
If  by  the  united  force  of  two  or  three  men,  the  fcetus 
cannot  be  brought  away,  any  ruder  and  more  violent 
attempt  must  always  be  fraught  with  danger,  and  will 
often  be  fatal.  The  safer  way  for  the  mother,  —  yet  that 
is  attended  with  considerable  risk,  —  is  to  cut  off  some 
of  the  limbs  of  the  fcetus.  One  or  possibly  both  shoul- 
ders may  be  separated,  slipped,  and  then  the  head  and 
trunk  may,  without  much  difficulty,  be  brought  away. 
The  knife  must  be  one  that  can  be  concealed  in  the 
hand,  and  that  is  hooked  at  the  end,  and  rounded  and 
thick  at  the  back;  but,  notwithstanding  that,  there  is 
much  danger  of  wounding  the  womb,  which  is  forcibly 
pressing  on  the  hand  of  the  operator. 

"  Labor  is  not  unfrequently  prevented  by  the  diseased 
state  of  the  entrance  or  neck  of  the  womb,  which  be- 
comes hard  and  scirrhous,  and  thus  prevents  the  calf 
escaping.  When  this  is  found,  by  examination,  to  be 
the  case,  an  operation  should  be  performed,  which  con- 
sists in  dividing  the  contracted  entrance  by  means  of  a 
small  knife  passed  up,  protected  by  the  hand  and  fingers. 
Considerable  care  must  be  exercised,  so  as  not  to  cut  too 
deeply ;  and  it  is  better  to  divide  the  stricture  slightly  in 
several  places. 

"  From  the  violent  efforts  of  the  cow,  or  from  unneces- 
sary artificial  violence,  the  uterus,  or  calf-bed,  may 
protrude,  and  be  absolutely  inverted.*    The  case  is  not 

*  Falling  o/tlie  withers  is  a  general  term  among  farmers  to  denote 
this  condition.    The  womb  is  protruded  and  completely  turned  inside 


NEAT    CATTLE.  235 

desperate.  The  part  must  be  cleaned  from  blood  and 
dirt,  and  supported  by  a  sheet ;  then,  the  operator  begin- 
ning at  the  very  fundus  or  bottom  of  the  womb,  it  may 
be  gradually  returned  by  the  union  of  some  little  inge- 
nuity and  a  great  deal  of  patience.  The  animal  should 
be  copiously  bled  before  this  is  attempted,  in  order  to 
relax  the  passage  ;  and  the  application  of  cold  water  for 
a  considerable  time  may  contract  the  womb  itself,  and 
render  its  return  more  easy.  A  stitch  or  a  couple  of 
stitches  should  be  passed  through  the  lips  of  the  shape, 
in  order  to  prevent  a  repetition  of  the  protrusion,  and 
the  following  anodyne  draught  administered: — Take 
powdered  opium,  half  a  drachm ;  sweet  spirits  of  nitre, 
two  ounces.  Rub  them  together,  adding  the  fluid  by 
small  quantities  at  a  time,  and  give  the  mixture  in  a 
pint  of  warm  gruel. 

"  If  the  cow  has  calved  unseen  and  unattended,  she 
will,  like  every  other  quadruped,  set  diligently  to  work 
to  devour  the  cleansing,  and  lick  the  new-born  animal 
clean.  This,  however,  is  often  carefully  prevented  when 
there  is  the  opportunity  of  so  doing.  The  calf  is  taken 
immediately  away,  and  the  cleansing  thrown  on  the 
dung-heap.  We  act  contrary  to  nature  in  this.  She 
would  not  have  given  to  herbivorous  animals  this  pro- 
pensity to  eat  the  placenta,  had  not  some  useful  purpose 
been  affected  by  it.  Cleanliness  was  one  object,  the  next 
was  either  to  support  the  strength  of  the  animal,  or  to 
have  an  aperient  or  salutary  influence  on  her.     The 


out.  In  returning  it,  the  fist  is  applied  to  the  extreme  outer  or  lower 
part,  as  you  would  apply  the  hand  outwardly  to  the  toe  of  a  stocking 
that  is  inside  out,  to  turn  it  oulside  in.  The  protruded  parts  should 
be  cleansed  in  warm  water ;  and  if  they  have  been  out  long,  and  be- 
come inflamed,  as  is  sometimes  the  case,  from  neglect,  foment  them 
some  time  in  a  warm  decoction  of  raspberry  leaves,  or  of  white  oak, 
beech,  yellow  birch,  black  cherry,  barberry,  sweet  apple-tree  bark,  or 
other  astringent.  The  operator  should  perform  very  gently  in  return- 
ing the  withers,  and  having  done  this,  and  taken  a  stitch  of  strong 
twine  across  the  vulva,  the  application  of  cold  water  will  produce  a 
contraction  of  the  parts.  Then  place  the  cow  with  her  fore  feet  the 
lowest,  and  so  that  she  cannot  lie  down  for  a  day.  Give  gentle  physic 
of  thorough  wort  tea,  or  salts,  and  gentle  astringents  to  allay  inflamma- 
tion, as  raspberry  tea,  &c.  It  would  be  well  to  let  the  cow  go  farrow 
one  year,  that  the  parts  may  become  firm. 


236  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

mother  and  the  young  will  be  happier  if  they  are  left  to 
pursue  the  dictates  of  nature.  Many  a  cow  has  fretted 
herself  into  a  fatal  fever  from  the  sudden  loss  of  her  little 
one,  and  many  a  calf  has  died  from  the  neglect  of  that 
cleanliness  which  the  mother  could  best  eifect. 

"  A  great  deal  has  been  said  of  the  necessity  of  cleans- 
ing the  cow  after  calving,  or  the  removal  or  expulsion  of 
the  placenta.  There  is  much  error  in  this.  The  pla- 
centa comes  away  with  the  calf;*  and  it  is  that  natural 
discharge  from  the  womb,  continued  during  several  days, 
and  which  is  observed  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  in  all 
quadrupeds,  that  gives  the  notion  of  anything  being  re- 
tained. Medicine,  nevertheless,  is  necessaiy  in  order  to 
prevent  that  access  of  fever  to  which  the  cow  in  high 
condition  is  liable  ;  but  that  medicine  should  be  admin- 
istered, not  in  the  form  of  a  stimulating  cordial,  from  the 
false  supposition  that  the  animal  wants  support  after  the 
fatigue  and  pain  it  has  undergone,  but  in  that  of  a  pur- 
gative, in  order  to  prevent  an  attack  of  fever,  to  which 
the  animal  is  so  naturally  exposed  after  parturition,  and 
which  is  so  often  hastened  and  aggravated  by  absurd 
management.  The  mother  requires  little  care  after  calv- 
ing, except  that  of  protection  from  too  great  severity  of 
weather." 

*  Thi3  remark  is  not  correct.  The  placenta  or  "  clearings  "  gener- 
ally come  away  soon  after  the  calf;  but  sometimes,  owing  to  a  con- 
traction of  the  neck  of  the  womb,  or  the  placenta  adhering  to  the 
inner  surface  of  the  womb,  it  does  not  readily  come  away ;  and  it 
soon  acts  as  a  foreign  body,  producing  irritation  and  fever;  and  it 
will  rapidly  become  putrid  and  noisome.  Yet,  in  some  cases,  it  has 
been  retained  seven  or  eight  days,  without  serious  injury.  In  these 
difficult  cases,  give  no  powerful  stimulants.  Give  a  dose  of  thorough- 
wort  tea,  or  one  pound  of  Epsom  salts,  with  two  drachms  of  ginger  in 
addition  to  either  dose,  a  few  hours  after  calving,  which  will  have  a 
favorable  effect  in  this  particular,  as  well  as  on  the  general  health  of 
the  animal.  [See  next  page.]  Some  tie  a  weight  of  six  or  eight 
ounces  to  the  cord,  the  action  of  which  may  separate  the  placenta 
from  its  adhesions. 

Sometimes  it  adheres  so  firmly  to  the  surface  of  the  womb  that  it 
is  retained  till  it  becomes  putrid,  and  the  hand  must  be  introduced  to 
separate  it  in  the  gentlest  manner  possible,  else  dangerous  inflamma- 
tion will  follow.  Sometimes,  when  there  is  an  inversion  of  the  womb, 
or  "  falling  of  the  withers,"  the  placenta  is  found  adhering  closely  to 
the  then  outer  part  of  the  womb,  and  should  be  very  gently  separated, 
before  the  womb  is  returned. 


NEAT    CATTLE.  237 


MANAGEMENT   AFTER  CALVING. 

We  give  separate  articles  on  the  important  subjects  of 
the  Placenta  and  Biestings.  Be  careful  and  not  give 
cold  water  after  calving.  The  following  is  excellent : 
Throw  a  few  embers  into  a  pailful  of  water.  This  will 
warm  the  water,  and  the  slight  alkaline  quality  will  be 
good.  It  is  much  better  to  give  warm  water  for  several 
days.  If  a  cow  be  in  a  high  condition,  or  tolerably  high, 
it  is  best  to  give  a  dose  of  mild  physic.  To  guard  against 
fever  and  garget,  it  would  be  well,  in  all  cases,  to  give 
a  gentle  laxative.  For  a  few  days  feed  lightly.  Warm 
mashes  are  excellent.  Do  not  feed  largely,  even  on  hay, 
but  if  she  be  greedy  after  food,  give  some  good  straw. 
If  a  cow  be  weak  and  exhausted,  after  calving,  give 
herb  drinks,  as  warm  as  can  be  borne,  and  warm  gruel, 
for  nourishment.  Thoroughwort  tea  is  excellent,  as  it 
serves  as  a  stomachic  to  warm  and  strengthen  the 
bowels,  and  as  a  good  physic.  If  the  cow  be  weak,  do 
not  give  a  strong  dose  of  physic,  yet  a  large  quantity  of 
tea  will  have  a  favorable  effect.  Dr.  Holmes,  whose 
excellent  authority  we  have  occasionally  quoted,  informs 
us  that  he  had  a  heifer  that  was  exhausted  in  her  efforts 
in  giving  birth  to  her  young.  She  was  cold  in  the  ex- 
tremities, and  unable  to  stand.  He  gave  her  a  gallon 
of  thoroughwort  tea,  as  hot  as  she  could  bear.  In  a  few 
minutes  she  revived,  rose  up,  and  immediately  dis- 
charged the  afterbirth,  or  placenta.  This  immediate 
effect  was  owing  to  the  heat  in  the  liquor. 

When  a  cow  is  so  exhausted  that  she  cannot  rise,  she 
must  be  assisted  in  rising,  and  moving  round  a  little,  if 
possible,  or  fastened  up  awhile,  by  sacking  or  wide  straps, 
else  she  will  soon  lose  the  use  of  her  limbs.  Cows  that 
calve  in  March,  or  during  cool  weather  in  April,  often 
suffer  by  standing  out  exposed  to  cold  winds,  and  still 
more  when  standing  in  deep  mire  or  manure.  Kind  and 
gentle  treatment,  and  great  care  and  attention,  are  ne- 
cessary at  this  critical  period ;  and  well  does  this  highly 
useful  and  bounteous  animal  deserve  these  favors  from 
those  whom  she  nourishes  and  supports,  and  their  chil- 


233  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

dren  also.    Her  rich  treasures  are  divided  between  them 
and  her  own  offspring. 

COWS  EATING  THE   PLACENTA. 

The  general  practice  in  this  country,  in  New  England 
at  least,  is  to  prevent  cows  from  eating  the  placenta, 
after-birth,  or  cleanings  ;  but  some  intelligent  managers 
of  stock  allow  cows  to  eat  it,  and  this  is  the  general 
custom  in  England ;  and,  as  it  is  in  accordance  with 
nature,  the  vigilance  of  man  cannot  always  prevent  it. 
We  have  known  many  instances  of  cows  eating  the 
after-birth,  and  never  had  reason  to  suppose  that  any 
injury  arose  from  their  following  the  dictates  of  nature. 
It  is  supposed  to  have  some  salutary  medicinal  effect. 
Some  apprehend  danger  from  cows  choking  themselves 
in  this  way  ;  but  we  have  no  account  of  an  instance  of 
the  kind,  and  it  has  been  remarked  that  there  is  no  more 
danger  of  this  than  of  a  tobacco-chewer  getting  choked 
with  his  quid. 

GIVING   COWS   BIESTINGS. 

Numerous  cases  are  mentioned  in  which  cows  have 
been  injured  by  drinking  biestings,  or  first-drawn  milk 
after  the  calf  has  sucked,  especially  when  they  gave  a 
large  mess.  In  some  cases  it  has  proved  fatal.  In  one 
case  an  examination  was  made,  and  the  milk  was  in  the 
manifold ;  "  it  had  shut  those  parts  close  together,  so 
that  nothing  could  pass."  Giving  a  cow  her  milk  is 
unnatural,  and  it  is  very  rich  food  for  an  animal  in  a 
weak  and  delicate  condition. 

Lovett  Peters,  Esq.,  of  Westborough,  a  farmer  of  long 
experience  and  nice  observation,  offered  to  the  public, 
through  the  "Massachusetts  Ploughman,"  several  arti- 
cles against  giving  cows  biestings  ;  he  was  supported  by 
a  number  of  farmers,  who  showed  its  injurious  effects 
On  the  contrary,  several  intelligent  farmers  gave  in- 
stances of  cows  drinking  biestings  without  injury.  The 
so^er  way  is  to  avoid  this  unnatural  course. 


\ 


NEAT    CATTLE.  239 


SORE   TEATS   AND  UDDERS. 

Sometimes,  before  calving,  and  more  frequently  after, 
the  teats  and  udders  are  swollen  and  sore,  otherwise 
than  the  internal  inflammation  called  garget. 

Remedy.  Foment  the  parts  affected  with  warm  water, 
or  warm  soap  suds,  and  in  severe  cases  foment  long  and 
often  with  some  astringent  tea,  as  beech,  barberry,  or 
raspberry.  Or  use  one  of  the  last  two  recipes  on  page 
53.    After  the  parts  are  dry,  apply  a  cooling  ointment. 

MILK  FEVER,  OR  DROPPING  AFTER  CALVING. 

This  disease  is  most  common  to  cows  in  high  con- 
dition, and  in  the  hot  season.  The  cows  that  have 
large,  full  udders  some  time  before  calving,  are  most 
liable  to  be  attacked  with  this  disease.  It  generally 
appears  about  the  second  or  third  day  after  calving ; 
occasionally  she  is  down  a  few  days  after  calving,  and 
is  seldom  able  to  rise  for  several  days. 

Symptoms.  Refusing  food  ;  looking  dull  and  heavy  ; 
restlessness ;  lowing ;  nose  dry  and  hot ;  tongue  fre- 
quently protruded ;  eyes  wild  and  staring ;  the  udder 
swelled  and  inflamed ;  the  secretions  of  milk  suspended ; 
weakness ;  staggering  ;  heaving  of  the  flanks ;  weak- 
ness of  the  loins,  and  every  symptom  of  fever.  Palsy 
soon  steals  over  the  whole  frame,  and  she  falls. 

Tkeatment.  Bleed  freely,  and  give  a  pound  of  Epsom 
salts,  and  give  aromatics,  such  as  ginger  or  herb  teas. 
Half  an  ounce  of  saltpetre  and  a  pint  of  linseed  oil  are 
good  to  give  with  the  salts.  If  there  be  much  fever, 
treat  as  for  that  complaint,  and  feed  with  mashes,  and 
light  food  generally.    Get  her  up  as  soon  as  possible. 

GARGET. 

This  disorder  attacks  the  udders  of  cows,  particularly 
young  ones  after  their  first  calving,  or  cows  in  high  con- 
dition. The  internal  part  of  the  udder  becomes  inflamed, 
generally  in  one  part  at  first,  but  if  not  relieved,  it  often 


240  DISEASES   OF   ANIMALS. 

extends  to  the  whole  bag;  it  becomes  tender,  much 
swelled,  and  feels  hard  and  knotty.  The  milk  coagu- 
lates, and  is  drawn  off  in  thick  masses,  often  bloody. 

Causes.  Too  high  feeding ;  allowing  the  cow  to  go 
dry  too  long ;  not  drawing  off  the  milk  when  the  bag 
becomes  full  before  calving ;  humors  in  the  system  that 
collect  at  this  tender  place  ;  and  taking  cold. 

Preventives.  Mr.  Fisher,  of  the  State  of  New  York,* 
in  his  prize  essay  on  dairying,  in  the  "Albany  Cultiva- 
tor," recommends  giving  each  cow,  while  dry  and  with 
calf,  a  table  spoonful  of  sulphur  weekly,  to  prevent  gar- 
get ;  and  Mr.  Jenne  says,  in  the  "  Maine  Farmer,"  that 
he  has  used  it  with  satisfaction ;  and  he  names  several 
cases  in  which  this  disease  was  not  produced  by  a  great 
flow  of  milk,  but  indurations  or  cakes  in  the  bag.  Fut 
tar  on  the  noses  of  cows,  and  on  their  heads,  between 
the  horns,  in  March  and  April. 

Remedy.  In  very  severe  cases,  the  surest  and  most 
speedy  remedy  is  bleeding  and  physicking,  giving  light 
food  and  cooling  drinks.     This  has  an  immediate  effect. 

Another.  Many  farmers  in  New  England  cure  with 
the  root  of  garget,  or  pokeweed,  (Phytolacca  decandra.) 
In  mild  cases,  it  is  sufficient  to  give  cows  some  in  their 
food ;  and,  in  severe  cases,  a  piece  of  this  root  is  put  in 
the  dewlap,  as  a  seton.    In  bad  cases  it  is  too  slow. 

Another.  Give  saltpetre.  An  ounce  is  a  common 
dose,  but,  in  severe  cases,  two  ounces  have  been  given. 

Another.  The  "Genesee  Fanner"  says,  a  dairyman 
cured  two  bad  cases,  in  which  the  milk  was  clotted, 
stringy  and  bloody,  by  bathing  the  udder  a  few  times  in 
a  strong  decoction  of  arse-smart,  or  smart  weed. 

Another.  Tobacco,  cut  fine,  and  simmered  in  urine  ; 
then  stir  in  pure  clay,  and  apply  to  the  udder. 

Another.  Foment  the  bag  with  warm  soap  suds 
vinegar  and  spirits.    If  it  will  break,  apply  poultices. 

TO  CAUSE  A  COW  TO  GO  WITH  YOUNG. 

Cows  and  heifers  are  not  always  with  young  in  sea 
son.  Poor  keeping  is  one  cause.  Feed  nourishing  food ; 
give  rye  meal,  oat  meal,  or  oil  meal ;  prefer  rye.  This 
cordial  is  good :  —  Caraway  seeds,  one  ounce  j  gentian 


NEAT   CATTLE.  241 

half  an  ounce ;  ginger,  half  an  ounce  ;  and  twenty  drops 
of  peppermint ;  mix  in  gruel  or  water.  Avoid  cantharides 
and  all  powerful  stimulants,  as  dangerous.  A  further  aid 
is  running  alone  with  the  bull.  She  may  be  in  too  high 
condition  ;  then  give  gentle  physic,  moderate  feed,  and 
reduce  gradually.  She  may  be  barren,  though  often  in 
season,  and  taken  to  the  male.  The  excitement  may  be 
insufficient ;  then  feed  better,  as  above  ;  or  it  may  be  too 
great ;  then  let  her  take  the  male  towards  the  close  of  her 
season,  when  it  is  abating.  Bleeding  freely  is  good.  A 
heifer  was  driven  often  without  effect.  Then,  on  taking 
the  male,  twelve  or  fifteen  pailfuls  of  cold  water  were 
poured  on  her  immediately.  It  succeeded.  It  was  a 
single  case,  but  seems  founded  on  philosophy.  Drive 
the  cow  from  the  male  immediately,  not  allowing  her  to 
stop  to  dung  or  urinate,  nor  to  come  near  other  animals, 
till  her  season  is  past.  When  in  season,  give  her  milk 
to  the  pigs. 

BROKEN  HORNS. 

Joseph  Frost,  Esq.,  of  Elliot,  Me.,  says,  in  the  "Boston 
Cultivator:"  "We  see  cattle  with  broken  horns,  which 
may  be  easily  replaced,  if  proper  means  are  seasonably 
adopted.  We  had  a  cow  that  broke  her  horn  ;  it  came 
off  by  the  hair,  and  the  core  or  pith  of  the  horn  came  off 
about  three  inches  from  the  head.  We  replaced  the 
horn,  and  tarred  a  strip  of  cotton  cloth,  and  wound  it 
around  the  horn  by  the  head,  and  then  corded  and  stayed 
the  lame  horn  to  the  well  one.     It  grew  on  and  remained. 

•''  We  have  a  cow  that  broke  her  horn  two  years  ago, 
and  it  was  free  from  the  head  an  hour.  We  replaced  itj 
and  the  horn  shows  no  appearance  of  having  been  in- 
jured. When  cattle  have  their  horns  broken  down,  or 
what  farmers  generally  call  droop  horns,  they  may  be 
replaced,  and  fixed  properly  by  an  iron,  shaped  in  the 
natural  position  of  the  horn,  and  fastened  to  the  head 
and  well  horn.  The  tarred  bandage  should  be  applied 
to  the  wound.  In  all  cases  the  animal  should  be  placed 
in  a  situation  to  prevent  the  lame  horn  coming  in  con- 
tact with  anything." 

21 


SHEEP. 

The  engraving  on  the  left  represents  a  group  of  Me- 
rino sheep,  a  specimen  of  the  prize  flock  of  S.  W.  Jewett, 
Esq.,  of  Weybridge,  Vt.  The  Merinos  are  distinguished 
for  fine  wool,  and  for  that  purpose  they  are  kept  fa' 
more  extensively  than  any  ether  breed  in  the  country. 

TO   KNOW   THE   AGE   OF   SHEEP. 

The  age  of  sheep  may  be  known  by  the  front  teeth. 
They  are  eight  in  number,  and  appear  the  first  year,  all 
of  a  small  size.  In  the  second  year,  the  two  middle 
ones  fall  out,  and  their  place  is  supplied  by  new  teeth, 
which  may  be  easily  distinguished  by  their  larger  size. 
In  the  third  year,  two  other  small  teeth,  one  on  each 
side,  fall  out,  and  are  replaced  by  two  larger  ones ;  so 
that  there  are  now  four  large  teeth  in  the  middle,  and 
two  pointed  ones  on  each  side.  In  the  fourth  year,  the 
large  teeth  are  six  in  number,  and  only  two  small  ones 
remain,  one  at  each  end  of  the  range.  In  the  fifth  year, 
the  remaining  small  teeth  are  lost,  and  the  whole  front 
teeth  are  large.  In  the  sixth  year,  the  whole  begin  to 
be  worn ;  and  in  the  seventh  year,  sometimes  sooner, 
some  fall  out,  or  are  broken.  It  is  said  that  the  teeth  of 
ewes  begin  to  decay  at  five  or  six  ;  those  of  wethers  at 
seven,  and  those  of  rams  at  eight. 

Sheep  sometimes  continue  strong  and  productive  until 
fourteen  or  sixteen  years  old,  and  occasionally  longer. 
When  a  boy,  we  had  under  our  care  a  very  smart  old 
sheep,  that  invariably  brought  and  raised  two  lambs 
every  year,  until  fifteen  years  old. 

GENERAL  MANAGEMENT 

Almost  all  the  disorders  incident  to  sheep  are  caused 
by  a  want,  and  seldom  by  an  excess,  of  activity  in  the 
vital  organs.  The  nerves  are  very  susceptible,  but 
when  they  are  powerfully  excited,  the  excitement  soor 


244  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

passes  off,  and  leaves  the  animal  extremely  weak. 
Therefore,  most  of  the  means  used  for  the  cure  of  dis- 
eases of  sheep  should  be  calculated  to  excite,  rather  than 
allay,  the  activity  of  the  functions  of  life. 

During  summer,  give  them  a  good  supply  of  salt,  and 
occasionally  some  tar ;  and  if  they  do  not  have  access  to 
burnt  lunds,  give  them  wood  ashes  mixed  with  their  salt, 
of  four  or  five  parts  of  the  former  to  one  of  the  latter. 
Sheep  running  on  freshly  burnt  lands  are  generally  re- 
markably healthy.  The  coal  and  ashes  are  specifics 
against  several  disorders,  and  they  will  go  far  to  get  to 
such  places. 

As  to  sheep  wanting  water  in  summer,  the  question  is 
not  wholly  settled.  We  have  a  number  of  cases  in 
which  they  have  succeeded  remarkably  well  without 
water ;  and  we  have  kept  sheep  in  a  pasture  in  which 
there  was  but  one  spring  in  a  dry  time,  and  we  never 
saw  their  tracks  around  it,  and  though  we  have  worked 
in  sight  of  it  many  a  day,  for  years  and  years,  yet  we 
never  saw  a  sheep  drink  there.  Yet  some  say  that 
sheep  need  water  in  summer.  The  majority  of  evi- 
dence seems  to  show  that  they  will  do  well  without  it. 

Carefully  select  the  best  sheep  to  keep,  though  the 
butcher  offers  a  high  price  for  them.  One  good  sheep 
for  breeding  is  worth  more  than  half  a  dozen  poor  ones ; 
otherwise  the  poor  ones  are  worth  nothing,  and  the  value 
of  the  best  is  seldom  estimated. 

Wean  lambs  in  season,  as  it  will  benefit  themselves 
and  their  dams.  They  will  get  accustomed  to  the 
change,  while  on  green  food,  and  their  mothers  will  have 
a  chance  to  gain  flesh  against  the  coming  winter. 
Early  in  fall,  examine  the  flock,  and  select  for  fattening 
such  as  are  not  fit  to  winter.  When  a  sheep  is  once 
very  fat,  she  should  be  slaughtered,  as  she  will  not  prob- 
ably be  in  so  fine  a  condition  again. 

When  sheep  are  brought  to  the  barn  in  the  winter, 
smear  their  noses  well  with  tar ;  it  tends  to  keep  them 
in  good  health,  and  prevent  their  taking  disorders. 

As  sheep  suffer  from  being  kept  long  from  the  ground, 
it  is  best  to  let  them  run  out  late  in  fall,  or  early  in  win- 
ter, while  they  can  get  a  good  support  j  but  they  should 


SHEEP.  245 

Do  fed  from  the  barn  before  feed  is  so  scarce  that  they 
fall  away  for  want  of  a  supply.  If  they  lose  condition 
before  housing,  they  will  hardly  recover  in  the  winter, 
without  extra  keeping,  and  the  consequence  will  be  the 
loss  of  lambs,  or  a  stinted  race  ;  loss  of  wool,  and  a  poor 
article,  and  perhaps  a  loss  of  sheep.  It  is  an  important 
hinge,  on  which  much  turns. 

Sheep  suffer  in  our  long  winters  for  want  of  green 
food.  Give  them  roots  of  various  kinds,  such  as  pota- 
toes, carrots,  beets,  parsnips,  and  turnips.  For  a  month 
or  so  before  yearing,  they  should  not  have  roots,  or  only  a 
few,  as  they  will  produce  a  premature  flow  of  milk,  and 
cause  it  to  cake  in  the  bag.  At  this  time,  they  may 
have  a  very  few  roots,  to  keep  the  bowels  open,  and  pre- 
vent their  faltering  for  want  of  access  to  the  ground. 
Carrots  are  best,  as  they  do  not  produce  so  large  a  flow 
of  milk  as  other  roots,  but  tend  in  part  to  keep  up  the 
condition.  Do  not  feed  too  high  before  the  yearing  sea- 
son. See  remarks  on  the  management  of  cows  before 
calving.    The  same  apply  to  sheep. 

Give  sheep,  in  winter,  as  condiments,  salt,  wood  ashes, 
clay,  and  pure  earth.  Give  them  also  as  salutary  or 
medicinal  food,  cedar,  pine,  spruce,  hemlock,  fir,  and 
other  boughs.  [See  Browse,  page  249.]  And  by  all 
means  give  them  a  good  supply  of  pure  water.  As  they 
eat  dry  fodder,  they  will  drink  often  and  freely.  They 
cannot  satisfy  their  thirst  by  eating  snow,  any  more  than 
a  man  can  by  devouring  snow  or  sucking  an  icicle.  We 
have  kept  sheep  and  cattle  about  the  same  distance  from 
water,  say  seven  rods,  and  the  sheep  would  go  and  drink 
twice  as  often  as  the  cattle.  They  would  not  eat  more 
than  half  an  hour  in  the  morning,  before  they  would  all 
run  and  drink.  They  will  go  a  considerable  distance 
for  this  purpose,  if  kindly  invited  at  first,  by  a  lock  of 
hay,  or  something  else  to  entice  them,  instead  of  fright- 
ening them  with  dogs  and  noisy  boys,  in  the  vain  at- 
tempt to  drive  them. 

BIr.   Thomas  Noble   says,   in  the   Ohio   Cultivator, 
"  My  sheep  consist  of  sixteen  hundred  head,  and  so  far, 
I  have  lost  none.    We  cut  all  their  feed,  and  the  saving 
thereby  is  at  least  one  third." 
21* 


246  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

When  sheep  have  been  long  from  the  ground,  they 
will  often  do  as  well  to  let  them  out  in  spring  as  soon  as 
the  ground  is  bare,  feeding  them  also  with  the  best  of 
hay,  and  with  roots  and  provender. 

Clover  hay  is  the  best  for  sheep ;  we  have  known 
flocks  to  do  well  and  raise  fine  early  lambs,  when  theii 
feed  during  winter  has  been  nothing  but  excellent  clo- 
ver hay,  and  pure  water,  to  which  they  had  access  in 
the  yard. 

TREATMENT  OF  SHEEP  AFTER  SHEARING. 

A  correspondent  of  the  Albany  Cultivator  says  :  — 
"  There  is  nothing  that  conduces  to  the  health  and  com- 
fort of  sheep  more  than  a  clean  skin ;  any  application 
that  has  that  tendency  will  be  of  service ;  anything  to 
the  contrary  must  injure  them,  and  the  growth  and  qual- 
ity of  their  wool,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree.  Smearing 
of  any  kind  is  injurious,  particularly  so  after  shearing, 
when  the  wool  is  short ;  it  stops  the  pores,  checks  the 
growth  of  the  wool,  and  leaves  it  dry  and  brittle,  far  into 
the  season.  If,  when  sheep  are  sheared,  there  is  a  large 
hogshead  of  very  strong  brine  made,  and  as  the  sheep 
are  shorn  they  are  taken  to  it,  and  while  one  man  holds 
the  sheep,  another  takes  a  strong  scrubbing  brush,  and 
after  pouring  some  of  the  brine  along  the  back  and 
shoulders,  he  scrubs  the  sheep  well  all  over,  until  he 
raises  a  lather  as  with  soap ;  nothing  more  is  necessary. 
The  skin  will  be  left  bright,  red,  and  clean.  Every  tick 
and  sheep  louse  instantly  disappears,  and  if  the  skin  had 
any  tendency  to  itch,  it  is  entirely  cured ;  perspiration  is 
promoted  and  the  growth  of  the  wool  improved.  In  this 
way,  I  think  that  the  general  strength  of  the  sheep,  to 
withstand  the  effects  of  any  storm,  will  be  better  pro- 
moted than  by  smearing  of  any  kind,  which  is  never 
admissible. 


SHEEP.  247 


LAMBS.  • 

Young  lambs  require  particular  attention.  If  the 
weather  should  be  cold  or  stormy,  they  should  be  in  a 
dry,  warm  place,  yet  pretty  well  ventilated.  If  there  be 
wool  around  the  sheep's  bag,  in  the  way  of  the  lamb 
when  sucking,  cut  it  off.  Sometimes  lambs  are  so  feeble 
soon  after  they  are  born,  that  they  cannot  suck  without 
assistance,  or  they  are  so  weak  or  stupid  that  they  will 
make  no  effectual  exertion  to  help  themselves.  In  such 
cases  it  often  becomes  necessary  to  press  out  the  biest- 
ings  in  the  teat,  as  the  lamb  has  not  strength  to  draw 
out  the  thick  matter  ;  then  he  may  suck  ;  if  not,  lay  the 
sheep  on  her  side,  and  put  the  teat  into  his  mouth,  and 
if  he  will  not  draw  the  milk,  press  it  out  into  his  mouth, 
and  he  will  soon  learn  to  suck. 

Some  young  sheep  will  not  own  their  lambs,  or  own- 
ing them,  they  will  not  stand  still  and  allow  them  to 
suck,  owing  to  their  ignorance,  or  the  tenderness  of  their 
bags  ;  and  attention  is  necessary,  else  the  lamb  will  be 
lost.  Some  lambs  are  troubled  in  cutting  their  teeth, 
and  cannot  suck  well  for  soreness  of  the  gums.  In  such 
cases,  rub  hard  the  swelled  gums  with  the  thumb-nail, 
or  other  hard,  smooth  substance,  which  will  promote 
teething. 

Some  sheep,  old  as  well  as  young,  will  not  own  their 
lambs,  so  as  to  allow  them  to  suck  at  all ;  this  is  a  very 
troublesome  case,  and  sometimes  difficult  to  remedy. 
Bringing  a  dog  near  the  lamb  may  have  some  effect,  as 
she  may  be  disposed  to  protect  her  lamb,  and  fight 
bravely  in  its  defence.  If  she  persist  in  her  unnatural 
course,  hold  her  often,  and  let  the  lamb  suck ;  he  will 
soon  learn  to  run  to  his  mother  for  this  purpose,  as  soon 
as  his  kind  assistant  appears.  Let  him  suck  as  often 
as  morning,  noon,  evening,  and  at  night,  just  before 
bedtime ;  in  this  way,  sheep  will  often  own  their  lambs, 
sometimes  in  one  week,  and  again  not  till  after  two  or 
three  weeks. 

If  a  single  lamb  die,  and  another  sheep  will  not  own 
her  lamb,  or  another  sheep  has  twins,  skin  the  dead 


24S  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS, 

lamb  before  it  is  stiff,  if  convenient,  and  put  the  skin  on 
the  lamb  you  wo»ld  have  the  landless  sheep  own.  When 
a  boy,  and  we  had  the  care  of  sheep,  one  brought  three 
lambs ;  at  that  time  a  single  lamb  died,  and  we  put  the 
skin  on  one  of  these  thrices,  and  the  poor  childless  sheep 
owned  it.  By  holding  a  sheep  that  had  some  time  be- 
fore lost  her  lamb,  the  other  two  sucked  her,  occasion- 
ally, but  she  did  not  own  them  until  turned  out,  in  the 
spring.  But  after  they  had  been  out  a  few  days,  we 
noticed  that  the  three  lambs  were  carefully  cared  for, 
each  having  a  mother  exclusively. 

When  the  excrements  of  a  lamb  are  so  glutinous  as 
to  fasten  the  tail  to  the  vent,  it  must  be  washed  clean, 
and  the  tail  and  buttocks  should  be  rubbed  with  pow- 
dered clay  or  loam,  and  give  some  mild  remedy,  as 
recommended  for  scours.  When  you  give  a  lamb  cow's 
milk,  use  that  of  a  new  milch  cow. 

WOOL  IN   THE    STOMACHS   OF  LAMBS. 

Sometimes  lambs  die  in  consequence  of  little  balls  of 
wool  in  the  stomach,  matted  together  into  a  hard  sub- 
stance, and  sometimes  closing  the  entrance  into  the  guts. 
Lambs  are  most  affected  in  this  way  when  they  are  from 
three  to  six  weeks  old.  Most  that  are  affected  die,  and 
among  the  number  are  the  fattest,  and  apparently  the 
most  healthy  of  the  flock. 

Symptoms.  A  lameness  in  the  legs  that  causes  them 
to  reel  and  stagger,  and  at  last  to  fall  down.  Sometimes 
they  die  suddenly.  Those  that  do  not  show  an  aver- 
sion to  moving  about,  exhibit  distress  after  sucking, 
weakness  in  their  legs,  and,  in  extreme  cases,  a  total 
loss  of  the  use  of  their  legs. 

No  Remedy  is  prescribed,  to  our  knowledge.  Purges 
produce  no  good  effect.  Emetics  may.  Means  should 
be  taken  to  prevent  the  lambs  taking  wool  into  their 
stomachs ;  and  this  is  difficult,  as  it  is  not  known  why 
and  how  they  do  it.  One  author  says,  "  When  the  dung 
of  the  ewe  is  covered  with  wool,  the  lamb  is  apt  to  seize 
it  instead  of  the  teat,  and  swallow  it,  and  the  lambs,  see- 
ing bits  of  hay  fall  on  their  mothers  and  on  other  lambs, 


SHEEP.  249 

are  apt,  in  their  desire  to  eat  them,  to  draw  out  fLaments 
of  wool  and  swallow  them,  from  which  these  balls  are 
formed." 

One  writer  says  that  when  fodder  is  given  to  sheep  in 
the  open  yard,  or  when  the  lambs  have  access  to  hay  in 
the  barn  at  all  times,  he  has  not  known  them  to  be  affected 
in  this  way.  On  feeding  his  sheep  from  racks,  and  not 
allowing  his  lambs  to  range  in  the  barn,  and  eat  hay  at 
pleasure,  the  lambs  could  get  hay  only  while  the  sheep 
were  eating,  one  or  two  hours  a  day;  and  in  the  season  he 
adopted  this  plan,  a  great  many  died,  having  balls  of 
wool  in  their  stomachs.  Being  anxious  to  get  something 
to  chew,  they  might  take  the  loose  locks  of  wool  that  are 
hanging  about  their  mothers. 

Another  supposes  that  after  the  lamb  is  a  few  weeks 
old,  he  has  not  milk  enough,  and  eating  freely  of  food 
too  hearty  for  his  tender  age,  an  acescent  state  of  the 
stomach  is  produced,  which  requires  absorbents  to  neu- 
tralize the  acid,  and  they  may  take  the  wool  as  most 
convenient.  "With  these  conjectures,  we  leave  the  sub- 
ject, not  having  facts  at  our  disposal  as  to  the  cause. 

BROWSE   FOR   SHEEP. 

Browse  of  various  kinds  is  good  for  sheep  in  winter 
They  are  very  fond  of  it,  as  it  affords  a  change,  being  a 
green  food.  The  browse  of  oak,  and  other  powerful 
astringents  should  be  avoided.  The  browse  of  ever- 
greens is  used,  not  only  as  a  wholesome  food,  but  for  its 
medicinal  qualities,  particularly  pine  and  hemlock.  And 
in  some  cases  it  is  used  to  considerable  extent  as  a  sub- 
stitute for  other  fodder.  Pine  and  hemlock  are  best,  but 
spruce  and  fir  are  also  good. 

Some  farmers  have  nearly  supported  their  sheep  on 
browse  for  months,  when  hay  was  scarce.  J.  Whitman, 
of  Turner,  Maine,  has  used  pine  and  hemlock  for  his 
sheep  for  more  than  forty  years,  and  he  has  known  no 
injury  from  them,  but  a  benefit,  and  a  saving  of  hay. 
He  says  that  hemlock  does  not  injure  sheep  with  lambs. 
He  prefers  pine  and  hemlock  boughs  to  spruce  and  fir. 


i50  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


CASTRATION. 

The  younger  lambs  are  when  altered,  the  less  risk  there 
is.  The  best  rule  is  to  cut  them  as  soon  as  the  testicles 
are  accessible.  Some  wait  till  the  youngest  are  old 
enough ;  but  in  some  cases  this  will  render  the  opera- 
tion on  the  oldest  more  hazardous,  when  they  come  at 
periods  somewhat  different.  Therefore,  small  lots  should 
be  altered  as  they  become  fit. 

Though  there  is  less  danger  at  an  earlier  age,  yet  if  it 
be  performed  on  horned  sheep  when  the  lambs  are  two 
months  old,  the  horns  will  be  more  full,  and  the  wethers 
will  look  handsomer.  Care  should  be  taken  that,  in 
catching  the  lambs,  they  be  not  harassed  and  disturbed, 
which  will  cause  them  to  become  heated  and  agitated. 
Heavy  ewes  are  also  liable  to  injur}',  without  caution  in 
disturbing  the  flock. 

Apply  to  the  wound  a  little  tar  and  lard  mixed,  or 
some  soothing  salve,  but  no  salt,  ashes,  or  other  harsh 
substances.  Do  not  expose  the  lambs  till  they  get  well. 
Lying  out  nights  on  the  cold  ground  is  very  injurious, 
and  frequently  fatal.  There  is  nothing  better  than  cold 
water  to  apply  to  the  wound. 

TAILS   OF    SHEEP  — DOCKING   LAMBS. 

When  sheep  are  affrighted,  they  frisk  their  tails,  and 
are  liable  to  dislocate  their  spines,  and  render  them  par- 
alytic, if  their  tails  are  long.  Therefore,  docking  lambs  is 
important.  This  is  often  very  improperly  done,  by 
holding  the  lamb  by  the  tail,  and  cutting  off  the  tail  as 
he  is  pulling.  In  this  case,  the  skin  is  pulled  back  on 
the  tail,  and  when  cut  off,  it  recedes,  leaving  the  bone 
naked.  When  cutting  the  tail,  push  the  skin  towards 
the  rump,  and  then  cut,  and  the  skin  will  return  and 
cover  the  bone.  Cut  off  in  a  joint,  and  the  wound  will 
be  less  sore.  It  is  best  to  cut  short,  as  sheep  discharge 
dung  as  they  are  lying  down,  and  if  their  tails  are  not 
short,  they  become  foul. 


SHEEP.  251 


PHYSIC. 


Tfor  the  general  effects  of  physic,  see  page  33.  Give 
the  same  purgatives  as  for  cattle,  only  a  tenth  or  twelfth 
part  as  much  for  a  dose.  In  case  of  severe  costiveness, 
give  injections,  and  treat  generally  as  cattle. 

MANNER   OF  BLEEDING. 

This  operation  is  most  easily  performed  on  a  large 
vein,  the  branches  of  which  are  spread  over  the  face  of 
the  sheep.  The  vein  may  be  felt  passing  over  the  angle 
of  the  jaw,  into  the  neck,  about  two  inches  from  it,  or 
opposite  to  the  third  of  the  grinding  teeth.  Press  upon 
the  vein  a  little  below  where  it  is  to  be  opened,  and  the 
blood  will  flow  out  freely  when  the  opening  is  made, 
which  should  be  obliquely,  not  directly  across  or  along 
the  vein.  When  the  point  of  the  lancet  has  fairly 
entered  the  vein,  it  should  be  raised  a  little  upwards, 
and  carried  forward,  that  it  may  not  go  through  bi.th 
sides,  and  that  the  wound  may  be  large  enough  to  allow 
the  blood  to  flow  freely.  There  is  a  small  nerve  running 
across  the  vein,  and  to  avoid  cutting  it,  which  is  impor- 
tant, the  incision  may  be  made  as  low  down  as  possible. 
In  diseases  of  the  head,  requiring  bleeding,  and  in 
inflammation  of  the  eyes,  it  is  best  to  open  this  vein ; 
but  in  diseases  of  other  parts,  blood  may  be  procured 
from  a  vein  that  runs  along  the  leg.  This  vein  passes 
from  the  foot,  along  the  back  of  the  leg,  to  the  ham,  and 
then  goes  obliquely  over  to  the  fore  part  of  the  limb.  It 
is  nearest  the  surface,  and  sufficiently  large  a  little  above 
he  knee.  By  grasping  the  limb  above  where  the  vein 
s  to  be  opened,  it  swells.  This  is  the  course  generally 
pursued  by  shepherds,  but  veterinary  surgeons  recom- 
mend bleeding  in  the  jugular  vein,  as  more  effectual 
.Vith  proper  treatment,  the  harsh  remedy  of  bleeding 
may  generally  be  avoided.  Indeed,  it  is  not  a  remedy 
out  only  temporary  relief. 


252  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


EXCRETORY  DUCTS  IN  THE  FEET. 

The  legs  of  sheep  are  furnished  with  a  duct  which 
terminates  in  the  fissure  of  the  hoof,  from  which,  when 
the  animal  is  in  health,  is  secreted  a  white  fluid ;  but 
when  sickly,  these  ducts  are  stopped  by  the  hardening 
of  the  fluid.  In  some  cases,  they  may  be  relieved  by 
merely  pressing  out  the  hardened  matter  from  the  orifice 
of  the  duct,  in  each  foot.  But  to  open  and  cleanse  th« 
passages  thoroughly,  it  may  be  necessary  to  place  their 
feet  in  warm  water  or  soap  suds,  and  to  use  a  probe  or 
hand  brush. 

TO   DESTROY  VERMIN. 

Sheep  are  often  infested  with  ticks,  which,  in  differen 
ways,  do  much  damage.  In  grown  sheep,  they  cause 
the  animal  to  pull  out  the  wool  with  its  teeth,  in  biting 
and  scratching  to  obtain  relief  from  the  intolerable  itch- 
ing which  they  suffer.  Sometimes  almost  the  whole 
fleece  is  lost  in  this  way.  Ticks  always  tend  to  reduce 
the  flesh  of  the  sheep ;  and  in  young  lambs  they  are  par- 
ticularly injurious,  by  keeping  them  poor  and  weak,  so 
that  they  are  unable  to  bear  up  under  the  effects  of 
inclement  weather ;  thus  remotely  causing  death. 

Remedy.  There  are  several  ways  of  ridding  sheep 
from  this  annoyance.  In  a  day  or  two  after  the  sheep 
are  sheared,  the  ticks  having  lost  their  natural  shelter 
and  protection,  the  wool,  will  nearly  all,  go  on  to  the 
lambs ;  the  fleece  of  which  is  generally  started  enough 
to  afford  them  better  harbor  than  they  can  get  on  the 
closely  shorn  skins  of  the  old  sheep.  At  this  time  they 
may  be  very  easily  destroyed  by  immersing  the  lambs 
in  a  strong  "solution  of  tobacco.  For  this  purpose,  a  tub 
or  vat  of  sufficient  size,  should  be  procured,  into  which, 
after  having  sufficiently  boiled  or  steeped  the  tobacco, 

S tobacco  stems  are  just  as  good  as  anything,]  turn  the 
.ecoction.  In  this  immerse  the  lamb  all  over,  except 
the  head,  a  sufficient  time  to  allow  the  liquor  to  pene- 
trate to  the  skin.     In  this  way,  with  convenient  appara- 


SHEEP.  253 

tus,  two  hands  will  readily  dip  a  hundred  in  an  hour. 
If  the  solution  is  of  proper  strength,  not  a  tick  will  be 
found  alive  in  ten  minutes  after  immersion. 

Another.  One  of  the  most  effectual  and  convenient 
modes,  both  to  the  operator  and  the  animals,  is  to  fumi- 
gate with  tobacco  smoke.  We  have  observed  that  smoke 
is  instant  death  to  the  filthy  rascals.  It  may  be  taken 
up  into  a  bellows,  in  the  same  way  as  air,  and  blown 
into  the  wool.  A  very  cheap  and  convenient  apparatus 
may  be  made  of  tin  or  green  wood,  into  which  tobacco 
and  a  live  coal  may  be  put,  and  with  the  bellows  the 
smoke  may  be  blown  into  the  wool.  The  apparatus 
should  be  pointed,  and  the  wool  opened,  and  the  point 
put  near  the  skin  and  closed  around  it.  After  blowing 
in  the  smoke,  take  it  out,  close  up  the  wool,  and  move 
to  another  place  some  eight  or  ten  inches  off,  and  thus 
go  over  the  whole  fleece,  which  requires  but  a  short 
time.  We  prefer  this  to  all  other  methods,  as  nothing 
is  more  effectual  and  harmless  to  the  sheep.  Sometimes 
tobacco  makes  sheep  sick,  and  it  has  killed  lambs. 

New  rum  or  whiskey,  rubbed  all  over  the  animal,  is 
a  good  remedy  for  vermin  of  almost  every  kind. 

SCAB. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  destructive  diseases  that  sheep 
are  liable  to  in  this  country.  It  is  so  contagious  that 
where  it  has  once  entered  a  flock,  it  generally  passes 
through  it,  unless  stayed  in  its  course. 

Cause.  It  is  the  work  of  a  parasitical  insect  of  the 
acarus  family,  similar  to  the  itch. in  the  human  race. 

Symptoms.  It  first  makes  its  appearance  on  the 
shoulder  and  back ;  the  animal  rubs  itself  against  every 
object,  —  the  irritation  constantly  increasing  till  it  tears 
out  the  wool  with  its  teeth,  —  and  exhibits  intense  suffer- 
ing. Little  red  pustules  will  appear  along  the  back,  and 
are  succeeded  by  a  dry  scab. 

Remedy.     Chancellor  Livingston  recommended  spirits 
of  turpentine  and  hog's  lard,  parts  not  named.     One 
says  he  tried  it  with  success. 
22 


254  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

Another.  Apply  an  ointment  of  three  parts  grease 
and  one  of  turpentine. 

Another.  Running  on  freshly-burned  land,  if  turned 
on  immediately  after  shearing,  that  the  coal  and  ashes 
may  come  in  contact  with  their  bodies.  This  is  also 
good  for  foot-rot,  and  worms  in  the  head.  It  promotes 
the  general  health  of  sheep,  and  they  will  go  far  to  visit  it. 

Another.  Anoint  the  parts  affected  with  a  mixture 
of  equal  parts  of  tar  and  grease ;  first  wash  in  strong 
soap  suds,  and  dry  well. 

Another.  A  correspondent  of  the  "American  Far- 
mer" had  two  hundred  sheep ;  forty  were  badly  affected 
with  scab  in  November.  At  shearing  time,  he  had  lost 
one  hundred.  He  cut  sixteen  pounds  of  tobacco  up  fine 
and  boiled  it.  He  put  the  liquor  into  a  cask,  and  when 
cool  enough  to  use,  he  put  a  gill  of  spirits  of  turpentine 
into  the  cask,  and  repeated  this  for  every  twelve  sheep. 
The  sheep  were  put  into  the  liquor  up  to  the  head  and 
ears,  moved  around  so  as  to  be  thoroughly  wet,  and  then 
drained.  He  did  not  lose  another,  and  the  ticks  were 
destroyed.  One  writer  says  the  liquor  may  injure  if 
there  be  more  than  quarter  of  a  pound  of  tobacco  to  a 
gallon. 

Another.  Mercury  is  very  destructive  to  acari,  but 
it  is  a  dangerous  medicine,  excepting  in  skilful  hands. 
Some  think  it  is  more  safe,  more  easily  applied,  and 
surer  than  decoctions  of  tobacco  or  solutions  of  arsenic. 
With  one  part  of  mercurial  ointment,  known  as  unguen- 
tum,  mix  five  parts  of  lard,  and  apply  it,  in  moderate 
quantity  only,  to  the  parts  affected.  Or,  as  the  power 
and  quality  of  the  ointment  are  uncertain,  make  one  that 
can  be  depended  on,  as  follows  :  Crude  quicksilver,  half 
a  pound ;  spirits  of  turpentine,  one  ounce.  Rub  them 
together  for  several  hours,  till  perfectly  united.  Rub  a 
little  on  a  piece  of  glass,  with  the  finger,  and  if  shining 
particles  remain,  continue  the  rubbing.  To  this  mix- 
ture, well  reduced  and  mixed,  add  two  and  a  quarter 
pounds  of  lard,  of  the  temperature  of  new  milk,  and  stir 
till  stiff.  After  using  mercurial  ointment,  protect  the 
sheep  from  cold  and  storms. 


SHEEP.  255 


STOPPAGES   IN   THE   THROAT. 

This  disease  causes  wheezing  and  difficult  breathing, 
and  it  is  commonly  produced  by  colds  or  bad  pasturage. 

Remedy.  If  colds  cause  the  disease,  keep  them  warm ; 
if  it  is  owing  to  unfavorable  pasturage,  put  them  on 
higher  grounds.  Make  a  strong  tea  of  pennyroyal,  and 
to  one  quart  add  a  pound  of  honey  or  half  a  pint  of  mo- 
lasses, and  half  a  pint  of  sharp  vinegar.  Give  half  a 
pint  of  this,  warm,  every  night.  Other  warming  aro- 
matic teas  will  answer. 

SORE   MOUTH   AND    JOHNSWORT   SCAB. 

Sometimes  sheep  have  sore  mouths  from  eating  poison 
hemlock,  St.  Johnswort,  or  other  irritant  or  poisonous 
plant.  The  poison  may  also  affect  the  intestines ;  and 
eating  St.  Johnswort  will  cause  scales  of  the  skin  over 
the  whole,  body. 

Remedy.  Apply  tar  plentifully  for  the  sore  mouth ; 
and  for  inflammation  of  the  bowels,  give  tar  and  salt. 
Put  tar  in  troughs  or  on  boards  and  strew  salt  over  it. 
If  they  will  not  eat  it,  put  it  far  back  on  their  tongues. 
and  they  must  swallow  it.  Apply  to  the  scabs  a  salve 
of  lard  and  sulphur,  or  give  these  for  internal  inflamma- 
tion.    They  are  also  good  for  the  sore  mouth. 

DISORDERS   OF   THE   EYES. 

Sheep  are  often  affected  with  colds  falling  upon  their 
eyes,  and  almost  blinding  them  ;  and  at  other  times  they 
have  this  complaint  without  any  visible  cause.  In  either 
case,  the  remedy  is  the  same.  Press  out  the  juice  of 
great  celandine,  and  drop  a  quantity  of  it  into  the  eyes, 
night  and  morning.     [See  page  66.] 


256  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


WORMS  IN   THE   HEAD. 

This  is  probably  the  most  destructive  disorder  with 
which  sheep  are  afflicted  in  this  country ;  and  many  die 
with  it,  and  the  owners  know  not  the  cause,  or  learn  it 
too  late.  In  some  cases,  half  of  large  flocks  have  dier 
of  this  disease  in  one  year.  The  annual  loss  in  thi< 
country  is  estimated  at  one  million  of  dollars;  but  ol 
late  more  attention  is  paid  to  preventives  and  cures. 

Cause.  A  large  fly,  or  bee,  (Oestrus  ovis,)  lays  its  eggs 
in  the  nostrils  of  sheep,  in  August  and  September,  and 
perhaps  earlier  and  later,  where  they  hatch,  and  from 
twenty-five  to  one  hundred  small  white  grubs,  with 
black  heads,  and  a  black  streak  on  the  back,  may  some- 
times be  found  in  the  cavity  between  the  nostrils  and 
windpipe.  They  continue  in  this  place  till  the  nest 
summer,  when  they  get  their  growth,  and  are  as  large  as 
a  pipe-stem,  and  nearly  an  inch  long,  with  four  large 
teeth,  as  hard  as  bone.  They  then  leave  the  sheep,  and 
soon  cast  off  their  skin,  when  the  bee  appears,  and  is 
ready  to  lay  a  new  lot  of  eggs.  Some  say  that  the 
worms  do  not  injure  fat  sheep,  as  they  find  sufficient 
support  in  the  nostrils,  but  in  poor  sheep,  for  want  of 
food,  they  ascend  in  the  head.  When  attacked  by  the 
liy,  sheep  run  with  their  noses  to  the  ground,  and  often 
i  hrust  them  into  loose  earth  to  shut  up  the  avenues  of 
approach  to  the  enemy. 

Symptoms.  They  do  not  generally  appear  till  towards 
spring,  at  which  time  they  may  be  discovered  by  a  sickly 
countenance  and  loss  of  flesh,  notwithstanding  the  best 
of  keeping  ;  sometimes  running  at  the  nose,  (though  not 
always,)  and  snorting,  as  if  trying  to  blow  something 
from  the  head.  In  some  cases,  the  sheep  suddenly 
spring  about  in  a  wild,  frantic  manner,  and  drop  down 
dead.  When  this  symptom  is  exhibited,  the  grubs  have 
assailed  some  vital  part.  When  they  do  not  die 
in  this  manner,  they  become  so  poor  that  their  wool 
stops  growing  and  falls  off,  and  they  give  little  or  no 
milk.  Sometimes  they  linger,  pining  away,  and  do  not 
die  till  June  or  Julv. 


SHEEP.  257 

Preventive.  Smear  the  noses  of  sheep  with  tar  fre- 
quently, from  the  coming  until  the  departure  of  the  fly. 
To  be  sure,  begin  in  July,  and  continue  the  use  of  tar 
till  October.  It  may  be  applied  directly  to  the  noses  of 
sheep,  but  the  better  way  is  to  lay  it  in  a  trough  or  on  a 
board,  and  strew  salt  on  it,  and  the  sheep,  in  eating  the 
salt,  will  smirch  their  noses  pretty  well  themselves. 
Give  them  salt  in  this  way  frequently,  or  keep  a  supply 
by  them.    Tar  is  also  a  specific  against  other  diseases. 

Remedy.  Take  half  a  pound  of  good  Scotch  snuff, 
pour  on  it  two  quarts  of  boiling  water,  stir  it  and  let 
it  stand  till  cold ;  with  a  syringe  inject  about  a  table 
spoonful  of  this  liquid  and  sediment  up  each  nostril. 
Repeat  this  three  or  four  times,  at  proper  intervals,  from 
the  middle  of  October  to  the  first  of  January.  The  grubs 
are  then  small  and  more  easily  destroyed  than  after- 
wards, and  they  will  not  have  injured  the  sheep  as  they 
will  if  this  operation  be  deferred  till  later.  Half  an 
ounce  of  asafoetida,  pounded  in  a  little  water,  and  added 
to  the  snuff,  will  make  it  more  effectual.  There  need 
be  no  alarm  if  the  sheep  be  very  drunk,  and  apparently 
in  the  agonies  of  death,  when  the  operation  is  performed, 
as  they  will  soon  recover.  Dry  snuff  may  be  blown  up 
the  nose  with  a  quill,  and  have  a  good  effect,  but  it  is  a 
slow  and  dirty  job. 

The  reason  for  repeating  the  operation  is,  there  are 
many  cavities  and  folds  where  the  grubs  may  not  be 
exposed,  and  by  repeating  the  application  often,  they 
may  crawl  out,  and,  by  a  change  of  situation,  become 
exposed  to  the  snuff.  The  sediment  is  thrown  up,  as  it 
will  be  likely  to  remain  longer,  and  prove  more  effectual 
than  the  liquid. 

Another.  Blow  tobacco-smoke  well  up  the  nostrils, 
by  inserting  the  stem  of  a  tobacco-pipe,  well  charged 
and  lighted,  and  blow  at  the  bowl,  through  a  covering  of 
cloth,  for  a  few  seconds,  then  in  the  other  nostril. 

Another.  Pour  into  each  nostril  of  every  sheep 
affected,  a  tea-spoonful  each  of  spirits  of  turpentine  and 
olive  oil. 

Mr.  J.  Brown,  of  Akron,  Ohio,  a  distinguished  flock- 
master,  of  much  experience,  says,  in  the  "  Ohio  Culti- 
22* 


25S  DISEASES    OF   ANIMALS. 

vator,"  that  the  fly,  which  is  of  light  drab  color,  deposits 
a  crawling  maggot  at  the  nose  of  the  sheep.  He  had 
taken  hundreds  of  them,  alive  and  active,  from  flies. 
His  son  had  them  deposited  twice  at  his  nose,  while  at 
work  among  the  sheep.  The  flies  work  in  summer,  and 
in  the  fall  till  cool  weather.  The  act  of  depositing  is 
done  very  quick,  and  the  maggot  is  ready  to  pass  im- 
mediately into  the  head.  The  only,  chance  to  destroy 
them  is  during  their  infancy,  before  they  pass  high  into 
the  head,  which  is  not  under  five  or  six  weeks.  There 
are  two  sets  in  a  year,  if  not  more.  Matured  ones  have 
been  found  in  the  heads  of  lambs  not  more  than  four 
months  old. 

Remedy.  He  uses  tobacco-water  with  excellent  suc- 
cess, commencing  the  last  of  July,  and  applying  it  till 
the  last  of  October,  generally  three  times  in  the  season. 
Boil  one  pound  of  good  tobacco  in  a  gallon  of  water. 
Turn  the  sheep  on  their  backs  in  a  little  trench  dug  in 
the  ground,  and  with  the  head  held  back  on  the  ground, 
inject  with  some  force  about  a  table-spoonful  of  the 
liquor  into  each  nostril,  pointing  the  syringe  so  that  it 
will  go  into  the  cavities  in  the  head,  instead  of  falling 
into  the  throat.  If  at  first  the  animals  appear  sick  and 
cannot  stand,  they  will  soon  get  over  it.  Two  persons 
will  go  through  with  several  hundred  in  a  day. 

STURDY,   OR  WATER   IN   THE   HEAD. 

The  most  common  forms  of  this  disease  arise  from  a 
collection  of  water  in  cysts  or  bags  connected  with  the 
brain,  on  which  it  acts  fatally,  by  pressure.  Lambs 
and  yearlings  are  the  principal  sheep  liable  to  this  dis- 
order. 

Cause.  It  is  supposed  to  be  caused  by  the  exposure 
of  the  back  to  cold  and  wet.  Hence  it  is  common  to 
young  animals  whose  wool  parts  on  the  back  and  ex- 
poses it.  It  prevails  most  after  wet,  cold  winters,  and 
in  flocks  most  exposed. 

Symptoms.  Dulness ;  languid  appearance ;  ceasing 
to  graze  and  .ruminate ;  walking  in  a  staggering 
mannner;  giddiness;   looking  wildly;   starting  off  as 


SHEEP.  259 

though  frightened ;  loss  of  flesh ;  haggard  countenance ; 
blue  color  in  the  eye ;  after  awhile,  a  rotary  motion, 
always  one  way  ;  blindness  and  death  ensues. 

Preventive.  In  some  sections  of  Europe  the  backs 
of  young  sheep  are  protected,  during  the  inclement  sea- 
son, by  a  covering  of  cloth  or  other  article. 

Remedy.  Examine  the  skull  for  a  soft  spot  in  the 
bone,  which  indicates  where  the  water  is  collected. 
Then  perforate  the  skull  with  a  trocar,  accompanied  by 
a  tube  through  which  the  water  may  escape.  After 
which,  apply  a  few  drops  of  the  essence  of  myrrh  to  the 
aperture.  Shelter  the  animal  and  dress  the  wound. 
This  sometimes  succeeds,  but  more  often  the  reverse. 
But  better  save  a  few  than  lose  the  whole.  A  writer  on 
this  subject  says  that  he  knew  a  shepherd  in  Europe 
that  saved  nearly  all  on  which  he  operated  in  this  man- 
ner, while  he  himself  lost  almost  all  on  which  he  operated 
in  this  way,  but  saved  nearly  all  on  which  he  operated 
by  running  a  sharp  wire  up  the  nostril  into  the  brain, 
and  letting  out  the  water.  He  thought  that  in  tapping 
through  the  skull,  he  might  not  open  deep  enough.  In 
either  way,  it  is  a  nice  operation,  that  requires  skill. 

A  sheep  with  this  disorder  was  pronounced  incurable, 
and  left  to  die ;  and  a  boy  bored  a  hole  with  a  gimlet 
exactly  on  the  top  of  the  scalp ;  the  water  streamed  out ; 
in  a  few  minutes,  the  sheep  started  up,  and  ate  grass, 
and  shortly  recovered. 

INFLAMMATION   OF  THE   BRAIN. 

This  disease  is  caused  by  confinement  in  bad  air,  or 
high  feeding,  whether  stall  feeding  or  luxuriant  pasture. 

Symptoms  of  this  disease  are  so  very  different  from 
sturdy,  which  we  have  just  described,  that  they  are 
easily  distinguished.  This  disease  generally  attacks  the 
healthiest  sheep,  and  of  all  ages,  and  more  in  hot  weather 
than  early  in  spring.  In  this  complaint  there  is  no 
stupidity,  no  disinclination  to  move,  no  moving  round 
and  round ;  but  the  eyes  are  protruding,  bloodshot  and 
bright,  and  the  countenance  seems  eager  and  ferocious, 
not  depressed  and  anxious.    The  animal  is  in  constant 


260  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

motion ;  he  gallops  about ;  attacks  his  companions  and 
the  shepherd,  and  even  assaults  a  tree  or  post.  He  is 
under  wild  delirium,  and  so  continues  till  exhausted  j  he 
then  rests,  and  again  starts  as  wild  as  ever. 

Remedy.  Bleed  rather  lightly  and  if  there  be 
blindness,  bleed  in  the  vein  running  from  the  corner  of 
the  eye  to  the  nose.  Give  each  two  ounces  of  castor-oil 
or  other  physic.  Wash  the  head  in  hartshorn,  or  in  cold 
vinegar  and  water.  Give  to  drink  herb  tea  sweetened 
with  molasses.  Give  a  plenty  of  room,  pure  air,  and 
light  food. 

APOPLEXY. 

This  happens  only  to  sheep  in  high  condition,  and 
then  from  journeys,  worrying,  or  over-fatigue.  Sheep, 
though  very  fat,  if  kept  quiet,  are  seldom  affected  with 
this  disease. 

Treatment.  Give  physic,  and  feed  sparingly  on 
light  food.  Bran  mashes  and  roots  are  good.  Prefer 
grass  to  hay  in  the  season  of  it.  In  winter  give  clover. 
If  there  are  feverish  habits,  give  raspberry  tea,  or  some 
other  sedative. 

STAGGERS. 

Caused  by  improper  food,  which  produces  constipation 
of  the  bowels,  and  staggers  follow.  Oak  leaves  and 
buds,  and  other  astringent  substances  are  injurious,  as 
they  bind  the  bowels. 

Symptoms.  Giddiness  in  the  head,  and  trembling  in 
all  the  limbs.    The  sheep  stagger  and  fall. 

Remedy.  Dissolve  an  ounce  of  asafcetida  in  two 
quarts  of  water.  Give  a  gill  to  each  animal,  warm, 
every  three  hours.  This  commonly  opens  the  bowels, 
and  gives  relief ;  it  also  has  remedial  effects  on  the  ner- 
vous system.  When  recovered,  let  them  not  return  to 
the  same  food. 

Another.  Melt  half  a  pint  of  hog's  lard,  and  pour 
down  the  throat  of  each.  Any  other  physic  may  be 
used,  as  salts,  oil,  thoroughwort  tea.  Feed  on  light, 
laxative  food. 


SHEEP.  261 


FOUL  NOSES. 

Put  tar  in  troughs,  or  on  boards,  and  put  salt  on  it, 
and  if  the  sheep  will  not  eat  it  voluntarily,  in  this  or  in 
some  other  way  that  you  can  devise,  put  it  into  their 
mouths,  and  so  near  their  throats  that  it  will  go  down. 
Pine  boughs  are  also  good  for  this  complaint. 

INFLUENZA. 

Cause.  Exposure  to  storms  and  cold.  Lambs  or 
young  sheep  are  most  liable  to  it. 

Symptoms.  The  first  are  a  dulness  of  countenance 
and  a  disinclination  to  join  the  rest  of  the  flock,  or  to 
look  for  food.  They  soon  become  more  dull ;  a  thin, 
mucous  discharge  from  the  nose  and  eyes ;  drooping  of 
the  ears ;  grating  of  the  teeth,  and  a  staggering  gait  in 
walking.  As  the  disease  advances,  these  symptoms  be- 
come more  manifest.  When  it  is  considerably  advanced, 
diarrhoea  generally  sets  in. 

Treatment.  To  those  afflicted  with  purging,  give 
astringents  of  chalk,  &c,  combining  them  with  an  aro- 
matic. To  those  that  are  costive,  give  a  gentle  laxative, 
followed  by  a  tonic.  Keep  them  in  a  warm,  dry  place, 
till  recovered.  Small  doses  of  tar  are  also  good.  Keep 
the  bowels  open  with  laxative  food,  such  as  bran  mashes 
and  roots. 

SCOURS,   OR  DIARRHOZA. 

Causes.  These  are  numerous,  such  as  eating  a  soft, 
tathy  pasture,  particularly  if  fouled  by  inundations  of 
the  previous  winter ;  feeding  on  too  rich  a  pasture ;  sud- 
den change  from  a  poor  to  a  rich  pasture ;  change 
from  dry  to  succulent  food ;  transition  from  heat  to  cold ; 
giving  salt  very  freely  ;  weakness  and  relaxation  of  the 
bowels ;  improper  food ;  change  of  place,  and  other 
causes. 

Remarks.  Diarrhoea  is  frequently  only  the  symptoms 
of  other  disorders  exhibited  in  this  sanative  effort  of 


262  DISEASES    OF   ANIMALS. 

nature  to  ward  off  a  more  serious  evil ;  therefore,  it  may 
be  well  to  let  it  continue  twenty-four  hours  before  at- 
tempting to  check  it. 

Remedy.  When  purging  is  brought  on  by  a  soft, 
tathy  pasture,  or  by  too  rich  a  pasture,  a  moderate 
allowance  of  good  hay  will  generally  stop  it.  When  it 
is  caused  by  exposure  to  damp,  or  by  sudden  transition 
from  heat  to  cold,  it  may  be  arrested  by  keeping  the  ani- 
mal in  a  house  a  few  days,  and  feeding  on  dry  food. 

But  when  crude,  trashy  matter  has  been  swallowed, 
and  it  keeps  up  irritation,  medicine  must  be  resorted  to. 
Administer  to  each  animal  an  ounce  of  castor-oil  in 
gruel ;  adding  twenty  drops  of  laudanum,  if  there  has 
been  any  straining  or  evidence  of  pain.  When  the  bow- 
els have  been  well  cleaned  by  a  cathartic,  if  the  discharge 
continue,  it  should  be  checked  by  astringents.  For  this 
purpose,  a  decoction  of  raspberry  leaves,  or  of  black- 
berry roots,  may  be  used,  or  other  astringent,  and  molli- 
fying drinks. 

Another.  After  tagging  them,  give  to  each  from  four 
to  six  table  spoonfuls  of  rennet,  prepared  as  for  making 
cheese.  To  lambs,  give  in  proportion  to  their  size.  If 
they  are  not  relieved  in  twenty-four  hours,  repeat  the 
dose.     One  dose  generally  cures. 

For  Scours  in  Young  Lambs.  Give  each  a  tea-spoon- 
ful of  ginger  and  rhubarb,  in  warm  gruel,  with  ten  drops 
of  laudanum. 

Another  for  Sheep  or  Lambs.  Give  them  a  small 
dose  of  castor-oil,  and,  the  next  day,  give  some  milk  in 
which  have  been  boiled  a  little  flour  and  some  suet. 

Another.  Take  soot  from  the  chimney,  and  give  a 
table-spoonful  to  each  sheep,  every  three  or  four  hours ; 
or  pulverized  charcoal  will  do  as  well. 

Diet  has  an  important  effect.  Give  flax-seed  gruel, 
wheat  bran,  or  shorts,  well  cured  hay,  and  a  plenty  of 
salt.  Fresh  boughs  of  evergreen  are  good,  in  the  winter 
season. 


SHEEP.  263 


DYSENTERY. 

The  diarrhoea,  or  scours,  continuing  from  neglect  or 
bad  treatment,  or  being  very  severe,  degenerates  into 
dysentery,  and  then  the  disease  assumes  a  more  serious 
form.  A  considerable  discharge  of  mucus  takes  place, 
and  blood  occasionally.  This  disease  is  attended  with 
severe  griping  in  the  bowels,  and  sometimes  with  inflam- 
mation in  the  intestines  generally. 

Remedy.  Give  small  doses  of  physic,  such  as  castor- 
oil  or  salts,  for  a  few  days,  to  clear  the  bowels  of  impu- 
rities, before  giving  astringents.  The  remedies  recom- 
mended for  scours  will  generally  prove  effectual  in  this 
disorder.  If  not,  give,  once  or  twice  a  day,  in  lard  or 
oil,  an  even  table-spoonful  of  fresh  charcoal,  reduced  to 
an  impalpable  powder.  This  is  a  powerful  remedy,  and 
the  lard  or  oil  tends  to  prevent  checking  the  discharge 
too  soon.     [See  page  205.] 

ROT. 

Cause.  On  this  subject  there  are  various  opinions. 
Some  suppose  that  the  numerous  fluke  worms  which 
aie  found  in  the  livers  and  gall-bladders  of  sheep  dying 
with  this  disease,  are  produced  from  eggs  that  have 
been  taken  into  the  stomach  with  the  grass  on  which  the 
sheep  have  been  feeding ;  while  others  think  that  they 
are  the  effect,  not  the  cause,  of  disease — that  these  ani- 
malcules are  engendered  by  the  putrid  contents  of  the 
stomach,  caused  by  the  watery  and  acid  properties  of 
food  taken  by  sheep  while  feeding  on  aquatic  plants, 
indigenous  to  wet  pastures.  This  is  the  opinion  of  the 
celebrated  shepherd  and  poet,  William  Hogg,  who  had 
an  experience  of  more  than  half  a  century.  He  thinks 
it  may  also  be  caused  or  promoted  by  bad  management, 
or  some  adventitious  circumstances  in  the  animal's  life, 
as  a  sea-voyage,  &c. 

On  low  lands,  the  soft,  washy  sustenance  imparts 
no  consistence  of  vigor  to  the  muscular  and  essential 
parts  of  the  body,  the  viscera  are  increased;    a  bad 


264  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

shape  is  acquired ;  the  lungs  become  obstructed  in  their 
full  play,  and  finally  affected  ;  the  unripe  food  produces 
an  unusual  degree  of  serum  in  the  abdomen,  which  is 
diffused  through  many  parts  of  the  system,  the  miasma 
of  the  low  lands  promoting  the  disease,  and  after  awhile 
the  waste  of  the.  body  falls  into  a  tumor  under  the  chin, 
called  the  poke. 

Hogg  says,  "  Excess  of  fluid  in  those  varieties  of 
grass  which  the  animal  selects  for  its  food,  and  a  defi 
ciency  of  those  firm,  consistent  kinds  which  are  pecu- 
liarly adapted  for  strengthening  the  stomach,  for  animat- 
ing and  establishing  the  muscular  system,  I  take  to  be  the 
radical  cause  of  this  disorder ;  yet  secondary  causes  may 
operate  with  such  force  and  vigor  as  to  unhinge  the  best 
constitution,  and  dissolve  the  best  constructed  parts,  and 
when  this  is  done,  the  rot  is  always  the  consequence." 

It  prevails  the  most  in  cold  seasons,  especially  when 
cold  dribbling  rains  come  on  soon  after  shearing.  Flocks 
not  sheltered  at  night  in  unfavorable  weather,  are  most 
liable  to  this  disease.  "Want  of  food  will  also  occa- 
sion it,  as  Avell  as  eating  grass  full  of  unwholesome 
plants. 

This  disease  is  not  common  in  this  country,  but  in 
Great  Britain  it  is  very  frequent  and  fatal,  causing  the 
destruction  of  many  thousands  annually.  This  difference 
is  doubtless  owing  to  their  moister  climate,  luxuriant 
pastures,  and  artificial  mode  of  feeding.  Sheep  do  best 
in  dry  climates,  in  dry  seasons,  and  on  high  and  dry 
lands.  Wet  and  dampness  is  destructive  to  them,  espe- 
cially if  it  be  cold.  In  this  country  sheep  are  generally 
kept  on  hilly  lands,  (and  mostly  on  short  pasturage,) 
where  the  air  and  water  are  pure,  and  the  herbage  is 
firm,  sweet,  and  wholesome.  On  the  flat  and  luxuriant 
lands  of  the  west,  where  the  atmosphere  and  water  are 
less  pure,  and  the  herbage  more  luxuriant,  the  rot,  in  s 
modified  form,  or  some  disease  that  resembles  it,  pre- 
vails considerably. 

In  some  countries,  rot  is  the  most  destructive  disorder 
to  which  sheep  are  liable.  Some  consider  it  infectious, 
as  it  often  spreads  throughout  the  flock,  and  frequently 
over  a  whole   neighborhood;   but  this  general  preva- 


SHEEP-  265 

teace  may  be  owing  to  the  primary  cause  being  general. 
Some  remark  that  this  disease  is  not  infectious,  as  it 
often  happens  that  only  a  few  sheep  are  attacked  in  a 
large  flock. 

Symptoms.  This  disorder  does  not  at  first  exhibit 
itself  externally.  The  blood  loses  its  high  color  and 
tendency  to  coagulate,  and  becomes  Watery.  The  first 
symptoms,  therefore,  are  a  bright -red  appearance  about 
the  eyes ;  the  lips  and  the  inside  of  the  mouth  become 
pale,  as  well  as  the  skin  generally  under  the  wool ;  the 
animal  has  a  faint  aspect,  is  feeble,  and  the  skin  is  foul ; 
he  is  dull  and  listless  in  motion,  and  heavy,  as  though 
his  legs  could  not  carry  him.  But  he  continues  to  feed, 
and  does  not  grow  poor,  though  the  natural  vivacity  is 
diminished,  and  signs  of  weakness  appear.  The  disease 
commonly  gains  strength  in  winter.  Watery  swellings 
are  formed  under  the  chin,  which  are  often  absorbed, 
and  then  reappear.  Soon  after  these  the  animal  gener- 
ally  dies,  without  symptoms  of  pain. 

Remedy.  A  change  of  the  sheep  to  a  high,  airy  situa- 
tion, especially  where  there  are  many  aromatic  herbs,  ia 
sometimes  sufficient  to  effect  a  cure,  if  taken  in  season, 
and  the  weather  be  dry  and  warm.  But  when  this  dis- 
order  has  reached  such  a  point  that  the  symptoms  are 
evident  to  a  common  observer,  it  is  generally  incurable4 
Horse  chestnuts  are  an  excellent  fodder  in  this  case  ;  also 
a  mixture  of  juniper  berries,  sage,  wormwood,  gentian, 
angelica  root,  willow  bark,  and  other  bitter  substances, 
with  a  little  salt  and  grain,  which  things  they  will  gener- 
ally eat  of  their  own  accord,  if  given  them  in  the  morn- 
ing, in  small  quantities,  without  other  food.  Tar  is  an 
excellent  preventive ;  of  course  it  will  aid  as  a  restora- 
tive. Wood  ashes  added  to  the  salt  is  excellent.  This 
is  used  as  a  preventive. 

FEVER. 
Dissolve  half  an  ounce  of  saltpetre  in  water  and  vine- 
gar, and  give  it  to  the  sheep  lukewarm.  Give  also  gen- 
de  physic.  A  tea  of  raspberry  leaves,  in  addition  to  the 
other  remedies,  will  be  useful.  So  will  other  sedative 
teas  [See  Fever  in  "  Cattle."] 
23 


266  DISEASES    OF    AN  DIALS. 


CONSUMPTION. 

Causes.  There  are  various  causes.  The  most  com- 
mon is  exposure  to  storms  of  rain  and  damp  snows  in 
the  cold  season.  Sheep  will  endure  severe  cold  without 
injury,  when  kept  dry,  but  they  suffer  severely  by  wet 
in  cold  weather,  as  their  fleece,  which  serves  as  a  pro- 
tection  when  dry,  becomes,  when  wet,  a  cold,  uncom 
for  table  mass,  that  holds  the  moisture  for  a  long  time. 
Bucks  that  have  been  put  to  too  great  a  number  of  ewes, 
are  most  liable  to  this  disease. 

Symptoms.  The  eyes  uncommonly  bright  and  shining, 
water  constantly  running  from  them,  and  a  gradual  loss 
of  flesh,  running  at  the  nose,  and  a  cough. 

Remedy.  Tar  or  tar-water  is  good ;  but  after  the 
disease  is  seated,  it  is  doubtful  whether  anything  will 
avail.  "We  heard  of  a  case  of  a  sheep  that  had  a  severe 
cough,  and  was  failing  fast  in  the  spring;  on  being 
turned  out  and  eating  fresh  herbage,  she  began  to  im- 
prove, and  soon  recovered.  She  became  very  fat,  and 
was  killed  in  the  fall,  when  a  new  growth  of  the  liver 
could  be  plainly  perceived.  Sweetened  teas  and  syrups, 
of  various  kinds,  as  used  for  the  human  patient,  have  a 
favorable  effect. 

STRETCHES. 

Causes.  It  is  caused  by  the  bowels  not  being  kept 
sufficiently  open,  costiveness  resulting  from  the  sheep 
being  kept  a  long  time  from  the  ground  in  hard  winters 
and  on  dry  food.  Sometimes  it  is  caused  by  an  involu- 
tion of  one  part  of  the  intestine  into  another.  In  this 
case  a  cure  may  be  effected,  at  times,  by  taking  the  ani- 
mal by  the  hind  legs,  and  jerking  them  back  several 
times. 

Symptoms.  They  frequently  lie  down  and  rise  again, 
stretching  themselves,  and  refusing  food.  If  not  re- 
lieved, they  generally  die  in  seven  or  eight  days.  Me- 
rinos are  said  to  be  most  subject  to  this  complaint. 

Preventives.    Feed  twice  a  week,  or  a  little  every 


SHEEP.  267 

day,  with  green  food,  such  as  potatoes,  carrots,  beets, 
parsnips,  cabbages  and  apples.  Boughs  of  hemlock  and 
pine  are  good ;  those  of  spruce  and  fir  will  answer,  but 
are  not  so  good.  Bran  mashes  are  good  to  keep  the 
bowels  open.  Clover  hay  is  more  laxative  than  other 
fodder. 

Remedy.  A  table  spoonful  of  castor-oil  to  each  sheep 
generally  gives  relief,  and  soon  effects  a  cure  under  good 
treatment  as  to  food. 

Another.     Give  each  a  gill  of  hog's  lard. 

Another.     Give  each  an  ounce  of  Epsom  salts. 

Another.  In  Morrell's  "  American  Shepherd,"  a 
work  of  great  merit,  it  is  said  that  a  neighbor  gave 
each  a  quid  of  tobacco,  which  always  proved  effectual. 
This  is  physical. 

ERAXY. 

Causes.  Exposure  to  severe  storms,  poor  keep, 
plunging  into  water  when  hot,  feeding  on  frost-bitten, 
putrid,  or  indigestible  food.  Many  die  of  this  disorder 
on  the  prairies. 

Symptoms.  Loathing  of  food ;  hanging  the  head ; 
drawing  up  the  back ;  swelled  belly,  and  feverishness. 

Remedy.  Give  a  dose  of  physic  of  Epsom  salts,  one 
and  a  half  ounces  or  two  table  spoonfuls  of  castor-oil. 
If  the  physic  does  not  operate  in  six  hours,  give  an  in- 
jection, an  exciting  one  if  necessary,  to  cause  the  physic 
to  operate.  Give  gruel,  and  light  laxative  food.  Pro- 
vide warm,  dry  shelter,  pure  water,  and  good  food. 

DROPSY. 

Sheep  are  often  swelled  with  water  in  their  bellies, 
and  if  not  attended  to  it  is  certain  death.  There  are 
two  states.  The  one  is  water  between  the  outward  flesh 
and  the  rim,  the  other  within  the  rim.  In  the  first  case 
the  cure  is  easy ;  in  the  other,  nothing  can  be  done. 

Remedy.  In  the  first  case,  the  cure  is  by  a  kind  of 
tapping.  An  opening  is  to  be  made  in  the  flesh,  and  a 
quill  put  in.    This  will  give  the  water  a  free  passage 


268  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

out,  and  the  wound  heals  of  itself.  But  when  the  sheep 
is  poor  and  weak,  the  wound  must  be  examined  daily, 
and  dressed  with  tar  and  grease ;  and  the  animal  must 
be  put  in  a  dry  pasture.  This  disorder  is  likely  to  re- 
turn on  mismanagement  in  keeping.  Diuretics  are  good 
for  this  disease,  as  they  carry  off  the  water  by  increasing 
the  discharge  of  urine ;  but  these  must  be  used  in  mod- 
eration, lest  the  kidneys  be  injured  by  over  action. 

FOOT-ROT. 

This  disorder  is  occasioned  by  sheep  going  in  wet 
pastures.  There  is  an  issue  in  the  division  of  each  foot, 
a  little  above  the  hoof,  which  some  have  erroneously 
supposed  to  be  a  living  worm.  "When  sheep  stand  long 
in  the  water,  it  affects  the  issues  in  their  feet,  so  that  an 
inflammation  takes  place,  and  their  feet  will  rot  off, 
without  some  remedy.  One  great  cause  is  that  soft,  low 
lands  encourage  a  rapid  growth  of  the  hoof,  which  would 
be  worn  away  if  the  sheep  travelled  far  on  rough,  high 
lands. 

Some  suppose  that  this  disease  has  been  imported  into 
this  country  in  modern  days,  and  that  it  is  produced  and 
propagated  only  by  contagion  and  infection,  and  that 
diseased  sheep  may  leave  infectious  matter  when  they 
travel,  that  will  communicate  the  disorder  to  others  that 
pass  the  same  way  months  afterwards. 

Preventive.  Though  nature  has  provided  the  issues 
in  the  feet  of  sheep  for  a  useful  purpose,  as  well  as  those 
in  the  legs  of  swine,  yet  some  recommend  taking  out 
those  issues  when  sheep  run  in  low  lands.  It  may  be 
done  thus :  put  the  finger  on  the  under  side  of  the  foot 
and  press  upward,  then  with  a  sharp  knife  cut  through 
the  skin  around  the  mouth  of  the  issue,  and  with  a  strong 
pair  of  tweezers  it  may  be  pulled  out ;  the  place  will  then 
heal,  and  the  sheep  will  not  be  liable  to  the  foot-rot, 
though  they  run  in  wet  pastures. 

ANOTUEn  Preventive.  Make  the  sheep  travel  every 
day  over  a  rough  surface  that  will  wear  away  their  hoofs 
as  they  grow;  or  every  fortnight  rub  them  down  with 


SHEEP.  269 

a  pumice  stone ;  or  pare  and  rasp  them.  Having  done 
this,  give  a  gentle  purgative. 

Another.  Mix  with  the  salt  given  to  sheep,  one 
twentieth  part  of  sulphur,  and  this  will  tend  to  prevent 
the  foot-rot,  or  aid  in  the  cure.  In  using  remedies,  it  may- 
be well  to  use  some  of  these  preventives  as  an  auxiliary. 

Remedy.  Take  one  pound  of  blue  vitriol,  (sulphate  of 
copper,)  one  ounce  of  alum,  and  pulverize  them  as  fine 
as  flour;  mix  them  with  a  table  spoonful  of  honey  and 
lard  enough  to  make  a  salve.  Pare  the  feet  thoroughly, 
and  apply  this  mixture  to  the  sore.  Tar  may  be  used  in 
place  of  honey. 

Another.  Place  a  few  bushels  of  lime  where  the 
sheep  frequently  pass,  as  by  the  bars  or  gate,  so  that  it 
may  be  three  inches  deep  when  they  alight  on  jumping. 
Pare  their  hoofs  first.  The  lime  should  be  fresh  and 
slaked.  If  deeper  than  three  inches,  it  may  take  the 
hair  off  the  legs.    This  is  called  a  speedy  remedy. 

Another.  Pare  the  hoof  as  far  as  there  is  any  dirt  or 
fester  under  it,  wash  it  in  soap  suds,  and  wipe  it  clean 
and  dry.  Then  bathe  the  tender  parts  with  a  feather 
dipped  "in  the  butyr  (chloride)  of  antimony.  Turn  the 
infected  sheep  into  a  dry  lot  by  themselves  ;  in  a  week 
examine  again,  and  turn  the  well  ones  into  the  flock, 
and  repeat  the  application  to  the  others. 

Another.  Three  parts  of  finely  pulverized  Roman 
or  blue  vitriol,  and  one  part  of  white  lead ;  mix  into  a 
thin  paste  with  linseed  oil.  Slightly  cut  the  hoof,  so  as 
to  come  at  the  affected  part,  and  apply  the  remedy.  It 
may  need  repeating.  This  is  recommended  by  Hon. 
William  Jarvis,  who  is  high  authority  in  sheep  manage- 
ment, in  his  letter  in  the  "American  Shepherd." 

Another.  Running  on  freshly  burned  lands.  [See 
page  241.] 

Another.  Pare  the  hoof  as  before  directed,, and  then 
apply,  daily,  spirits  of  turpentine  to  the"  affected  parts. 

Note. — For  Hoven,  Abortion,  Swelled  Udders,  Man- 
agement when  with  Young,  &c,  see  these  subjects  in 
Cows. 

23* 


SWINE. 

The  figure  on  the  left  is  an  excellent  representation  of 
the  White  Chester  breed  of  hogs,  considerably  known  in 
Delaware  and  some  parts  of  the  neighboring  States. 
They  are  noted  for  large  size,  rapid  growth,  early  ma- 
turity, and  propensity  to  fatten ;  they  are  also  distin- 
guished for  symmetry  and  beauty  of  form.  We  know 
not  how  they  will  compare  with  many  very  fine  varieties 
in  other  sections  of  the  country. 


The  diseases  of  swine  are  less  known  than  those  of 
other  animals,  owing  to  their  being  regarded  as  dirty, 
obstinate,  unsocial  animals,  averse  to  being  handled  and 
petted,  "as  contrary  as  a  hog;"  and  from  this  distant 
acquaintance  with  their  keepers,  they  are  but  little 
affected  by  suasion,  and,  of  course,  are  very  difficult  to 
doctor.  Therefore,  it  is  of  great  importance  to  preserve 
the  health  ol  the  hog,  for,  with  this  animal,  prevention  is 
emphatically  the  better  cure. 

TO   PRESERVE   HEALTH. 

In  summer,  keep  hogs  in  a  cool,  airy  situation,  and  do 
not  make  them  extremely  fat  in  hot  weather.  Allow  no 
carrion  or  filth,  with  noxious  effluvia,  to  remain  near 
them.  If  confined,  give  them  green  food,  such  as  grass, 
weeds,  and  other  herbage,  and  occasionally  raw  roots. 
Give  them  pure  water  to  drink,  and,  if  possible,  a  supply 
to  wallow  in.  Wash  them  now  and  then  in  buttermilk 
and  if  they  are  very  dirty,  wash  them  in  soap  suds,  and 
then  in  buttermilk.  This  will  keep  their  skin  clean, 
soft,  loose,  and  add  greatly  to  their  health  and  thrift. 

Jn  cold  weather,  give  them  a  dry,  warm  shelter,  well 
ventilated  in  moderate  weather,  and  a  good,  soft,  warm 
bed,  and  renew  the  litter  occasionally.  Cobbett  says, 
give  your  hog  a  bed  in  which  you  could  pass  a  night 


272  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

comfortably  yourself;  give  pure  water,  and  generally 
warm  food,  and  occasionally  green  food,  such  as  raw 
roots,  cabbage  leaves,  raw  apples,  &c. 

At  all  seasons,  when  hogs  are  confined,  give,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  above,  pure  earth,  charcoal,  and  occasionally 
rotten  wood,  for  an  absorbent.  Give  a  suitable  quan- 
tity of  salt,  and  now  and  then  a  small  dose  of  sulphur 
and  antimony,  and  a  little  tar,  and  let  them  have  access 
to  alkalies,  such  as  wood  ashes  and  lime.  If  not  sup- 
plied with  condiments  here  named,  urine,  given  occa- 
sionally, in  swill,  will  be  beneficial.  And  though  we 
name  it  last,  it  should  be  first,  as  it  is  the  most  important, 
—  keep  the  issues  open. 

Issues.  Hogs  have  no  insensible  perspiration  of  the 
whole  body,  like  the  horse,  ox,  and  many  animals.  But 
they  have  issues  on  the  inside  of  their  fore  legs,  just 
below  the  knee,  which  are  porous,  like  the  top  of  a  pep- 
per-box. These  serve  to  drain  off  the  superabundant 
fluids  and  humors  of  the  body.  Sometimes,  from  their 
being  much  in  the  mud  and  filth,  or  from  a  diseased 
state  of  the  system,  the  pores  in  these  issues  become 
obstructed,  and  the  animals  fail,  appearing  as  though 
they  were  foundered. 

Remedy.  Take  a  cob,  or  other  rough  substance,  and 
with  soap  suds,  rub  open  and  wash  the  issues. 

Swellings.  To  scatter  swellings,  take  two  quarts  of 
whiskey,  or  other  proof  spirits ;  warm  it  over  coals  ;  but 
not  to  blaze,  and  dissolve  in  it  a  pint  of  soft  soap.  When 
cool,  put  it  into  a  bottle,  and  add  one  ounce  of  cam- 
phor.     [See  Poultices,  Liniments,  &c.] 

Ruptures.  In  this  case,  a  hole  is  broken  in  the  rim  of 
the  belly,  where  a  part  of  the  guts  come  out,  and  lodge 
between  the  belly  and  the  skin,  giving  an  appearance 
similiar  to  a  swelling  in  the  testicles.  Male  pigs  are 
most  liable  to  this  disorder. 

Geld  the  pig  thus  affected,  if  it  has  not  been  done,  and 
cause  him  to  be  held  up,  with  the  head  downward  ;  flay 
back  the  skin  from  the  swelled  place,  and  from  the  situ- 
ation of  the  pig,  the  guts  will  return  to  their  place.  Sew 
up  the  place  with  a  needle,  which  should  be  crooked,  to 
work  between  the  hind  legs.    Then  replace  the  skin  and 


swine.  273 

sew  it  up.  Apply  a  little  lard  or  mild  salve  externally, 
to  keep  the  parts  soft,  and  feed  lightly  for  a  few  days. 

Giving  Drenches.  Do  not  give  drenches  to  hogs  while 
they  are  hungup  squealing,  with  a  rope  in  their  mouths ; 
for  in  this  position  and  condition,  the  drench  will  gener- 
ally go  down  the  wrong  way,  and  choke  them.  But  give 
the  medicine  in  milk,  if  they  will  take  it ;  if  not,  let  them 
fast  awhile,  and  try  them  again.  Medicines  may  be 
given  in  the  form  of  a  clyster.     This  is  safe  and  effectual 

A  General  Medicine.  The  Am.  Farmer  says,  when 
hogs  are  sick,  and  you  know  not  what  ails  them,  nor 
what  to  do  for  them,  give  them  ears  of  corn,  first  dipped 
in  tar,  and  then  rolled  in  sulphur.  Ten  to  one  it  will 
cure  in  common  cases  of  disease.  In  addition,  we 
would  recommend  opening  the  issues,  if  they  need  this 
operation,  and  giving  a  few  ashes  and  some  charcoal. 

Disorder  in  Hogs.  In  hot  weather,  hogs  are  some- 
times attacked  with  a  lameness  in  their  hind  legs,  so 
that  they  can  hardly  move.  Owing  to  high  feed,  such 
as  corn  and  barley  meal,  without  fermentation,  inflam- 
mation ensues,  and  the  issues  of  their  legs  become  closed, 
which  open.     Give  green  food,  pure  air  and  water. 

Fever.  Bleed  in  the  tail ;  give,  twice  or  thrice  a  day, 
water  wherein  pepper  and  parsnip  roots  have  been 
boiled.     Mild  physic  is  also  good.     Feed  lightly. 

S*ine  Pox.  Pound  an  ounce  of  saltpetre,  and  dissolve 
it  in  a  pint  of  cider ;  add  half  a  pint  of  sweet  oil,  and  a 
table  spoonful  of  honey,  and  give  it  lukewarm. 

Catarrh.  Two  ounces  coriander  seed,  one  of  ginger, 
three  of  honey,  and  half  an  ounce  of  tumeric ;  powder 
fine,  and  boil  in  three  quarts  of  new  milk,  and  give. 

Measles  is  caused  by  carrying  the  fattening  pro- 
cess too  far,  or  too  rapidly,  by  sudden  change  from  poor 
keep  to  rich  food.  It  is  mostly  in  the  throat,  which 
is  internally  filled  with  small  pustules  or  tumors. 

Remedy.  Give,  twice  a  week,  to  each  animal,  crude 
antimony,  finely  powdered,  as  much  at  a  dose  as  will 
lay  on  a  shilling  piece. 

Another.  A  small  quantity  of  sulphur  given  occa- 
sionally to  swine,  is  good  for  their  general  health,  and 
prevents  the  measles ;  it  has  a  curative  effect  also,  and 
will  succeed  with  good  management. 


274  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

Another.  Kub  them  all  over  with  a  stiff  brush, 
dipped  in  cold  water ;  then  boil  parsley  roots  and  rue  in 
salt  water,  and  give. 

Itch,  ok  Mange,  often  appears  among  pigs  only  a 
few  weeks  old.  They  are  seen  rubbing  their  sides,  and 
on  examination,  it  will  be  found  that  their  bellies  are 
broken  out  with  fine  water  blisters,  somewhat  like  itch 
on  a  person.  If  nothing  be  done  to  cure  them,  the  dis- 
order increases,  and  they  grow  poor,  and  rub  themselves 
until  they  rub  on"  the  hair,  and  most  of  the  skin  from 
their  sides,  aad  the  greater  part  of  them  die. 

Remedy.  Lard  and  sulphur,  in  equal  parts,  melted, 
and  mixed  together,  and  applied  very  liberally  all  over, 
effects  a  speedy  cure.  Mr.  Isaac  Stone,  of  Watertown, 
informed  us  of  this  remedy,  which  we  published  in  the 
Fanner's  Journal.  He  used  it  with  invariable  success. 
Previous  to  his  discovering  this  remedy,  he  lost  many 
swine  by  this  disease,  though  trying  various  medicines, 
external  and  internal.     At  the  same  time,  give  sulphur. 

Blind  Staggers  is  caused  by  a  determination  of  blood 
to  the  head.  But  there  are  causes  for  that,  and  one  may 
be  the  stoppage  of  the  issues,  which  should  be  opened 
the  first  thing.  High  feeding,  and  the  want  of  pure  air, 
exercise,  and  condiments,  are  causes. 

Remedy.  A  warming  medicine  is  needed.  Giv^  a 
good  dose  of  new  rum  and  pepper. 

Another.  Cut  the  smooth  knob  in  the  roof  of  the 
mouth,  until  the  animal  bleeds  freely,  and  then  rub  it 
with  a  powder  of  loam  and  salt,  and  give  urine,  to  drink. 

Another.  With  a  sharp  knife,  make  an  incision 
.hrough  the  skin,  about  two  inches  in  length,  vertically, 
)n  the  forehead,  about  one  and  a  half  inches  below  the  top 
)f  the  head,  and  insert  in  the  wound  and  under  the  skin, 
is  much  fine  salt  as  possible.    Repeat  the  salt  often. 

Is  Tobacco  Poisonous  to  Hogs  ?     Tobacco  is  a  deadly 

Eoison  to  hogs,  when  taken  internally ;  so  says  one,  as 
e  lost  some  hogs  that  had  eaten  tobacco.  But  another 
says  that  he  gave  to  four  hogs  a  good  sized  hand  of 
f.obacco,  as  a  remedy  for  the  worms,  and  they  did  well. 

Sore  Throat.  Turn  hogs  thus  affected  into  an  open 
pasture,  where  they  can  have  fresh  herbage,  pure  air  and 


swine.  275 

water,  and  fresh  earth  to  root.  If  this  be  not  convenient, 
give  them  a  good  dry  shelter,  good  air,  pure  water,  fresh 
earth,  charcoal,  and  green  food,  such  as  grass,  weeds,  &c. 
A  few  raw  roots  will  be  good.  Give  the  following  for  a 
swelling  in  the  throat :  —  Half  a  pint  of  molasses,  a  table 
spoonful  each  of  hog's  lard  and  sulphur,  and  a  tea- 
spoonful  of  Cayenne  or  black  pepper.  Melt,  and  mix 
all  together,  and  when  just  cool  enough,  pour  down  the 
throat,  unless  you  can  make  him  eat  it  in  light  food. 

Quincy.  This  is  a  sore  throat,  and  the  enlargement 
of  the  glands  of  the  throat,  with  a  stiffness  of  the  limbs. 

Remedy.  See  that  the  issues  are  open.  Give  mod- 
erate doses  of  physic,  say  two  ounces  of  salts,  which  may 
be  mixed  with  light  food.  Feed  lightly,  and  add  to  the 
food,  lye  of  wood  ashes  and  salt. 

Scours.  Give  raw  tomatoes,  or  give  powdered  chalk, 
and  remedies  recommended  for  other  animals.  Among 
the  most  valuable  is  freshly  burnt,  powdered  charcoal, 
f  f  hogs  will  not  eat  it,  pulverize,  and  mix  it  with  their  food. 

Black  Teeth.  Cause.  Close  cenfinement  from  the 
ground. 

Symptoms.  Loss  of  appetite,  dizziness,  and  weakness 
of  the  hind  legs  and  hips.     The  teeth  are  black. 

Remedy.  Extract  the  black  teeth ;  give  sulphur ;  and 
wash  the  patient  in  butter-milk,  rubbing  smanly  with  a 
curry-comb,  cob,  or  stiff  brush ;  rub  open  the  issues,  and 
allow  the  animal  pure  air  and  water,  fresh  earth,  rot- 
ten-wood and  charcoal ;  and  grass,  weeds,  &c. 

Kidney  Worms.  This  disease  is  indicated  by  weak- 
ness about  the  loins. 

Remedy.  Corn,  soaked  in  lye  of  wood  ashes,  perse- 
veringly  used,  has  cured  in  many  cases. 

Another.  D.  H.  Maxwell,  in  the  Baltimore  Farmer, 
says  of  the  above,  that  it  may  do  in  recent  and  slight 
affections ;  but  a  more  certain  treatment  is  to  make  an 
incision  about  an  inch  long,  and  on  each  side  of  the 
backbone,  over  the  kidneys,  and  after  separating  the 
skin  slightly  from  the  parts  beneath,  insert  two  or  three 
cloves  of  garlic.  Take  a  stitch  to  confine  the  garlic. 
First,  shave  off  the  hair.  Dr.  Holmes,  of  the  Maine 
Farmer,  thinks  that  pieces  of  onion  or  garget  root,  would 
do  as  well. 


276  DISEASES   Of   ANIMALS. 

Murrain  or  Leprosy.  Cause.  Chiefly  hot  summers  \ 
consequently,  the  blood  becomes  inflamed. 

Symptoms.  Shortness  and  heat  of  breath  ;  head  hang- 
ing down  ;  staggering,  and  the  secretion  of  viscid  mat- 
ter from  the  eyes. 

Preventive.  Follow  the  directions  for  preserving  health 
in  summer,  on  a  preceding  page. 

Remedy.  Boil  a  handful  of  nettles  in  a  gallon  of 
small  beer  ;  then  add  half  a  pound  of  the  flour  of  sul 
phur,  a  quarter  of  a  pound  of  pulverized  anise-seed 
three  ounces  of  liquorice,  and  a  quarter  of  a  pound  of 
elecampane  root,  and  give  this  in  milk,  in  six  doses. 

Sows  devouring  their  Offspring.  Some  have  sup 
posed  that  this  is  caused  by  a  desire  for  meat,  and  the) 
have  fed  pork  to  their  sows  to  remedy  the  evil.  But  it 
is  a  mistaken  view  of  the  case.  When  they  are  confined 
to  a  sty  or  small  pen,  they  are  deprived  of  pure  earth, 
and  various  condiments  that  conduce  to  their  health ; 
consequently,  a  feverish  habit  is  induced,  which  causes  an 
unnatural  appetite,  and  the  unfortunate  animal,  in  her 
frenzied  state,  attempts  to  satisfy  it  by  eating  her  own 
offspring. 

It  has  been  found  that  when  hogs  run  at  large,  seek- 
ing various  condiments  as  they  please,  they  do  not 
devour  their  young.  Allow  the  sow  as  much  room  in 
the  yard  as  convenient,  and  throw  in  fresh,  pure  earth, 
if  there  be  not  a  supply ;  and  if  she  be  limited  to  a  small 
space,  where  there  are  no  green  vegetables,  give  her 
weeds  and  grass  sods,  also  charcoal  and  rotten-wood. 

Sows  after  Littering.  Feed  sparingly  for  a  few 
days,  and  with  light  food,  for  sows  are  sometimes 
injured  or  killed  by  too  much  feeding  whde  in  a  feeble 
and  delicate  state.  If  she  be  feeble,  and  her  appetite  fail, 
let  her  out,  to  run,  root,  and  eat  as  she  pleases. 

Abortion  from  Biestings.  Many  farmers  believe 
that  the  first  drawn  milk  from  the  cow  will  produce 
abortion  in  the  sow.  The  editor  of  the  Maine  Farmer 
once  gave  some  to  a  sow,  and  that  effect  followed} 
whether  from  this  cause,  he  knew  not. 


DOGS. 

This  is  a  portrait  of  the  Scotch  Shepherd's  dog,  which 
is  distinguished  for  fidelity  and  intelligence,  performing, 
by  his  sagacity  and  agility,  what  no  man,  or  any  num- 
ber of  men,  could  possibly  accomplish.  One  of  these 
affectionate  animals  once  took  care  of  a  lost  child  for 
several  days,  dividing  with  him  his  allowance  of  food, 
which  the  child  was  eating  in  a  cave  when  found  by  its 
friends. 

The  dog  is  liable  to  various  diseases.  In  most  re- 
spects  they  are  similar  to  those  of  other  animals,  and 
the  remedies  are  nearly  the  same.  Spirits  of  turpentine 
is  more  powerful  to  the  dog,  and  calomel  is  more  de- 
structive. He  is  a  hot  animal ;  his  stomach  will  digest 
bones.  While  the  pulse  of  the  horse  is  thirty-six  to  forty, 
and  of  the  ox  fifty  to  fifty-five  beats  per  minute,  that  of 
a  large,  lazy  dog  is  one  hundred,  and  of  a  small,  active 
one,  one  hundred  and  fifteen  to  one  hundred  and  twenty. 

Rabies,  or  Madness,  is  one  of  the  most  important  sub- 
jects in  veterinary  pathology,  as  it  involves  not  only  the 
life  of  animals,  but  that  of  human  beings.  In  this  dis- 
24 


278  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

case,  there  is  not  that  dread  of  water,  or  hydrophobia,  in 
the  dog  as  some  imagine,  though  it  is  common  to  the 
hutnan  patient,  and  to  some  animals,  as  he  (the  dog) 
will  often  drink  almost  incessantly  till  death.  There  is 
frequently  a  carelessness,  and  an  ignorance,  in  regard  to 
madness,  from  which  follow  the  most  direful  conse- 
quences. Dogs  are  allowed  to  lick  wounds  and  sores 
when  the  first  symptoms  of  madness  are  upon  them,  yet 
not  known  by  the  superficial  observer.  A  lady  lost  her 
life  by  allowing  a  dog  to  lick  a  pimple,  not  aware  that 
he  was  becoming  mad.  Dogs  have  bitten  persons  unex 
pectedly,  and  for  a  week  or  two  the  most  skilful  surgeons 
could  not  determine  whether  they  were  mad  or  not. 
There  should  be  more  caution  in  children  playing  with 
and  teasing  dogs,  and  dogs  should  be  more  closely 
watched,  lest  madness  steal  upon  them  unnoticed. 

Symptoms  of  madness,  in  the  early  stages,  are  rather 
obscure.  There  are  generally  sullenness,  fidgetiness,  and 
changing  of  posture,  in  regular  succession.  For  several 
hours,  the  dog  may  retrea"t  to  his  kennel,  and  laggardly 
answer  calls  upon  him.  He  is  curled  up,  with  his  head 
between  his  paws  and  breast.  At  length  he  becomes 
fidgety  and  searches  out  a  new  resting  place,  which  he 
soon  changes  for  others.  He  goes  again  to  his  old  bed, 
and  constantly  changes  his  posture.  He  gazes  around 
strangely,  with  a  clouded  and  suspicious  countenance. 
He  comes  to  one  and  another  of  the  family,  and  gazes 
steadfastly  on  them,  as  if  invoking  their  aid  in  the  ter- 
rible malady  that  he  feels  creeping  upon  him.  A  pecu- 
liar delirium  is  an  early  symptom ;  so  is  an  increased 
attachment  for  his  master,  and  he  licks  his  hands  and 
face.  In  this  case,  the  poison  may  come  in  contact  with 
a  wound,  pimple,  or  scratch,  and  infect  the  whole  sys- 
tem. As  the  dog  is  becoming  mad,  he  will  sometimes 
refuse  his  food,  and  then  snatch  it  up  and  suddenly  drop 
it.  Some  dogs  vomit  once  or  twice  in  the  early  stages, 
and  never  return  to  their  natural  food,  but  are  eager  for 
something  filthy  and  horrible.  He  often  eats  his  own 
dung  and  that  of  the  horse.  Even  in  a  room  not  fouled 
by  the  urine  of  dogs,  he  examines  and  licks  unceasingly 
every  corner ;  this  is  a  positive  sign  of  madness.     As  to 


dogs.  279 

the  fabulous  stories  of  froth  about  the  mouth,  this  is  more 
common  in  fits,  and  some  other  disorders.  The  bark  or 
other  sound  of  the  dog  in  madness  is  unnatural ;  in  fero 
cious  madness,  it  is  peculiar  and  characteristic,  resem 
bling  no  other  sound.  It  often  commences  with  a  bark 
and  ends  with  a  howl. 

In  persons,  madness  generally  takes  place  from  three 
weeks  to  six  or  seven  months  from  the  time  of  being 
bitten  —  (cases  are  named  in  which  the  virus  lay  dormant 
for  years)  —  in  the  dog,  usually  in  five  or  six  weeks,  sel- 
dom in  less  than  two  weeks,  nor  beyond  three  months, 
though  sometimes  not  till  seven  or  eight  months.  In 
man  it  usually  runs  its  course  in  twenty-four  to  seventy- 
two  hours ;  in  the  horse,  from  three  to  four  days ;  in 
cattle  and  sheep,  from  five  to  seven ;  in  the  dog,  from 
four  to  six.  Fits  and  other  diseases  in  dogs  are  often 
mistaken  for  madness.  The  cry  of  "  Mad  Dog!"  is  often 
raised  without  cause.  It  is  said  that  the  poison  matter 
will  produce  no  effect  when  taken  internally,  unless  there 
is  canker,  or  the  skin  is  broken  on  the  lips,  mouth  or 
throat. 

Preventives.  Although  there  may  be  no  cure  for  this 
disease  when  it  has  taken  effect  in  the  system,  yet  it 
may  be  prevented.  The  wounded  part  should  be  cut 
out,  if  possible,  every  part  that  is  touched  by  the  teeth, 
and  great  care  should  be  taken  that  the  knife  does  not 
pass  from  the  wounded  part  out  into  the  flesh,  and  thus 
extend  the  poison.  If  the  knife  chance  to  enter  the 
wound  in  cutting,  it  should  be  cleaned  immediately. 
Veterinary  surgeons  in  Europe,  after  cutting  the  wound, 
and  some  without  this  operation,  apply  lunar  caustic 
(nitrate  of  silver)  to  every  part  of  the  wound,  even  to  the 
very  bottom  A  hot  iron  will  have  the  same  effect,  but 
it  is  more  painful. 

Or  apply  the  following  as  soon  as  possible ;  if  the 
wounded  parts  be  carefully  cut  out  the  better  :  Take  two 
table  spoonfuls  of  fresh  chloride  of  lime,  mix  with  half 
a  pint  of  water ;  wash  the  wound  with  it,  then  apply  it 
in  a  cloth,  and  renew  often.  In  addition  to  excision  of 
the  parts,  and  the  application  of  this  caustic,  keep  the 
wound  open  five  or  six  weeks,  keeping  up  suppura- 


2S0  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

tion  and  running.  All  these  preventive  means  are 
founded  in  reason.  They  have  been  extensively  tried 
in  some  parts  of  Europe  —  in  Breslau  and  Zurich, 
several  hundred  cases,  with  success  in  almost  every 
case. 

The  following  is  said  to  be  effectual ;  it  may  aid  as  an 
internal  medicine,  but  we  should  rely  more  on  the  above  : 
Mix  three  table  spoonfuls  of  very  fine  oyster-shell  lime 
with  the  white  of  an  egg,  to  the  consistence  of  dough. 
Fry  it  in  fresh  butter  or  olive  oil.  Give  this  three  morn- 
ings in  succession,  without  food  or  drink  for  six  hours. 

Distemper  is  an  extensive  and  fatal  malady,  in  some 
respects  resembling  glanders  and  horse-ail  in  horses. 
In  England  it  destroys  one  third  the  canine  race,  attack- 
ing all  ages,  but  mostly  the  young,  and  especially  those 
from  six  to  twelve  months  old.  It  is  contagious,  and  is 
generated  also.  Early  symptoms  are,  loss  of  appetite, 
spirits  and  condition  ;  weak  eyes,  slight  running  at  the 
nose  ;  in  a  few  weeks,  a  husky  cough,  feverishness,  shiv- 
ering, and  sometimes  fits.  These  and  other  symptoms 
increase.  It  may  run  its  course  in  five  or  six  weeks,  or 
linger  two  or  three  months. 

Remedies.  Bleed,  physic,  and  give  injections.  A 
writer  in  the  "  Southern  Cultivator,"  says  :  "Give  a  dog 
a  table  spoonful  of  salt,  and  if  he  does  not  vomit  in 
twenty  minutes,  repeat  it  till  he  does.  In  half  an  hour, 
burn  under  his  nose  tar,  feathers  and  a  little  sulphur,  to 
induce  running  at  that  organ.  Repeat  this  three  times 
a  day,  and  the  salt  every  morning.  I  raise  many  dogs, 
often  have  distemper  among  them,  and  never  lost  one.'' 

Worms  are  frequently  in  the  stomach,  intestines  and 
rectum.  Give  oil  for  physic,  and  oil  and  water  as  injec- 
tions. 

To  prevent  Do.;s  killing  Sheep.  Put  the  flock  in  a 
yard  or  small  enclosure,  and  tie  the  dog  to  a  stout  horned 
buck,  at  less  than  a  respectful  distance,  and  let  him  butt 
the  dog,  moderately  if  he  never  offended,  and  severely  if 
he  is  an  old  transgressor.  Mind  and  not  allow  the  dog 
to  assail  the  sheep. 

For  various  other  diseases  in  dogs,  treat  as  generally 
recommended  for  other  animals. 


HENS. 

This  cut  represents  the  Dorking  race,  distinguished  for 
uniting  many  excellent  qualities. 

Location  and  Hen-house.  Select  a  southern  aspect, 
that  the  hens  may  enjoy  the  sunshine  in  cool  weather. 
Have  a  dry,  airy  situation.  Make  the  house  so  that  it 
can  be  well  ventilated  in  warm  weather,  and  yet  warm 
in  the  coldest  weather.  It  should  be  well  lighted,  and 
so  arranged  that  the  windows  may  be  taken  out  to  admit 
the  air  in  summer.  A  house  may  be  made  warm  by 
building  it  in  the  side  of  a  bank,  or  by  banking  it  up 
with  earth. 

Food  and  Feeding.     Hens  may  be  fed  mostly  on  the 

cheapest   grain.     They  do  well  on  Indian  corn,  oats, 

buckwheat,  or  barley,  alone ;  but  it  is  best  to  give  them 

two  or  three  kinds.     Corn  is  their  favorite.     Keep  grain 

24* 


282  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

:onstantly  by  them,  but  not  much  at  a  time.  Give  them 
boiled  potatoes  also ;  mash  them  while  hot,  and  stir  in 
wheat  bran  and  Indian  meal.  This  is  an  excellent  dish 
for  chickens.  In  winter,  give  green  food,  such  as  cab 
bage-leaves,  large  slices  of  turnips,  potatoes  and  apples 
In  winter,  and  when  confined  in  summer,  give  anima, 
food,  and  keep  by  them  constantly  gravel,  old  lime  mor 
tar,  pounded  bones  or  oyster-shells.  When  closely  con 
fined,  they  often  suffer  for  want  of  exercise  ;  bury  then 
grain  in  dry  earth,  and  let  them  scratch  it  out.  This 
promotes  laying  in  winter. 

Diseases.  The  Croup,  or  Catarrh,  is  the  most  destruc- 
tive. There  is  a  running  at  the  nose  and  eyes ;  the  eyes 
swell  and  are  closed ;  the  whole  head,  mouth  and  throat, 
become  affected.  It  is  a  slow,  lingering  disorder,  some 
times  continuing  in  the  same  subject  a  whole  year.  It 
is  caused  by  dampness,  foul  air  and  close  confinement. 
Last  fall  we  had  some  fine  Dorking  chickens,  running  at 
large.  We  shut  up  only  five  or  six  in  a  house  not  very 
close.  In  a  few  weeks,  they  had  the  croup.  We  gave 
them  a  few  pills  of  powdered  charcoal  and  lard,  washed 
their  heads  and  mouths  in  soap  suds,  gave  them  a  few 
doses  of  Cayenne  pepper,  and  turned  them  out,  and  they 
soon  recovered.  This  is  the  best  treatment.  Allow 
chickens  exercise  in  pure  air,  pure  food  and  water,  with 
a  little  asafcetida  in  the  water,  and  they  will  seldom  be 
sick.  For  the  Pip,  take  the  scab  from  the  tongue,  and 
apply  fine  salt.  For  Looseness,  give  lard  mixed  with 
charcoal  powder.    For  Costiveness,  give  lard. 

Lice.  For  large  lice  that  appear  on  chickens'  heads 
soon  after  hatched,  apply  lard,  new  rum  or  yellow  snuff. 
For  the  very  small  lice,  or  ticks,  a  most  insidious  and 
formidable  enemy,  apply  yellow  snuff  or  new  rum. 
Giving  a  little  sulphur  in  food  is  good.  By  all  means 
whitewash  the  hen-house  as  warm  weather  comes  on, 
and  repeat  it,  filling  all  the  cracks  and  crevices.  Put 
much  salt  in  the  whitewash 


TURKEYS    AND    DUCKS.  283 


TURKEYS. 

All  kinds  of  young  poultry  should  have  a  dry,  airy 
shelter  in  bad  weather,  as  cold  and  dampness  are  de- 
structive to  them.  The  curd  of  milk  is  good  food  for 
young  turkeys.  It  may  be  prepared  by  boiling  sour 
milk.  Eggs,  boiled  hard,  are  excellent.  Indian  meal 
is  injurious.  After  they  are  a  few  weeks  old,  it  may  be 
given,  if  prepared  by  scalding.  Brown  bread  is  good. 
In  some  parts  of  the  west,  young  turkeys  are  fed  almost 
wholly  on  shorts,  and  with  great  success.  They  are 
scalded  or  boiled,  and  stale  bread  added,  if  convenient. 
Boiled  potatoes,  mixed  with  bran  and  meal,  are  a  very 
good  food.  If  young  turkeys  become  chilled  and  droop- 
ing, add  to  their  food,  chopped  chives  or  onion  tops,  or  a 
little  pepper,  or  other  warming  food.  When  the  weather 
is  fair,  turkeys  do  better  to  range  in  the  free  air,  and  seek 
their  food.  They  are  great  ramblers,  and  cannot  well 
bear  confinement. 

DUCKS. 

The  management  of  ducks  is  often  bad  when  it  is  sup- 
posed to  be  good.  They  need  fresh,  pure  water,  not  a 
nasty  mud-hole.  If  you  have  no  clear  stream  or  pure 
pond,  make  a  little  artificial  puddle  or  pond,  and  every 
morning  change  not  only  the  water,  but  the  mud  and 
filth  produced  by  the  ducks ;  and  give  a  lot  of  fresh 
gravel  every  day,  else  they  will  soon  decline.  If  they 
have  water  from  the  pump,  let  it  stand  in  the  sun  before 
they  enter. 

The  best  food  for  young  ducks  is  scraps,  from  the 
tallow-chandler,  cut  fine  and  sifted  to  the  size  of  large 
peas,  then  swelled  half  a  day,  and  mixed  with  an  equal 
quantity,  when  swelled,  of  Indian  meal.  On  this  they 
will  be  fit  for  the  market  in  five  or  six  weeks.  Protect 
from  the  wet  and  cold.  Some  succeed  remarkably  well, 
and  never  let  ducks  go  into  water,  having  only  a  little  to 
drink  through  slats. 


234  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 


GEESE. 

Geese  will  do  well  on  the  same  food  that  cattle  usually 
have.  They  have  wintered  well  in  the  yard  with  cattle, 
having  no  other  food.  At  the  time  of  laying,  hatching, 
and  rearing  their  young,  they  should  have  a  good,  dry, 
warm  house,  in  a  warm,  airy  location.  They  will  do  weli 
with  only  a  little  water  to  drink,  yet  they  are  fond  of 
swimming  and  playing  in  water.  They  are  raised  on 
the  prairies  with  no  other  water  than  a  little  to  drink. 

BIRDS. 

Birds  in  a  domestic  state,  should  be  kept  in  a  dry,  airy 
place,  where  it  is  cool  or  warm,  according  to  their  nature. 
Yet  a  current  of  air  should  be  avoided,  even  in  warm 
weather.  Carefully  guard  against  the  effects  of  sudden 
changes  in  weather,  especially  when  there  are  young 
birds.  Their  house,  or  cage,  should  be  kept  clean,  and 
the  former  whitewashed,  and  the  latter  varnished,  to 
prevent  vermin.  Wash  the  roost  and  cage  often  in 
whale-oil  soap,  for  the  same  purpose. 

Feed  generally  on  such  food  as  the  birds  have  been 
accustomed  to  in  their  native  state.  Give  rice  birds 
rice,  and  Canary  birds  canary  seed,  and  give  the  latter 
a  little  hemp  seed  in  spring,  and  hard-boiled  eggs,  mixed 
with  crackers  or  stale  wheat  bread,  also  millet  and  dry 
Indian  meal.  Give  occasionally  Cayenne  pepper.  Keep 
pure  water  constantly  by  them.  Most  birds  need  little 
animal  food.  Supply  all  kinds  of  birds  constantly  with 
gravel  and  sand,  old  lime  mortar,  powdered  bones,  oyster- 
shells,  chalk,  charcoal,  &c. 

BEES. 

Keep  them  in  a  place  free  from  all  filthy  odors,  and 
unpleasant  effluvia.  In  the  spring,  clean  the  bottom 
board,  and  whitewash  it  and  the  lower  edge  of  the  hive, 
and  the  inside  up  to  the  comb.  Put  much  fine  salt  into 
the  wash,  and  apply  it  several  times  in  the  season.  It 
promotes  health  and  prevents  moths;  it  also  prevents 
or  cures  dysentery. 


PRINCIPLES    OF    BREEDING. 

In  breeding  and  rearing  animals,  it  is  in  the  power  of 
every  individual  to  make  great  improvements  in  races 
not  already  of  superior  blood,  by  selecting  the  best 
formed  animals  to  raise,  and  then  selecting  from  these 
best,  the  very  best  to  breed  from.  Some  of  the  following 
principles  are  evident  to  every  common  observer ;  others 
are  the  result  of  exact  experiments  and  long  observation. 
Some  of  them  are  well  established  and  universally  ac- 
knowledged ;  others  are  questioned,  and  a  few  of  them 
are  disputed. 

Like  produces  like.  This  is  a  general  law  in  the  ani- 
mal and.  vegetable  kingdoms.  It  is  a  governing  princi- 
ple thioughout  animated  nature.  But  there  are  some 
slight  deviations,  which  may  be  carried  out  to  a  consid- 
erable extent  and  form  new  varieties.  This  general  law, 
with  these  few  deviations,  lies  at  the  foundation  of  all 
successful  breeding.  When  we  have  obtained  an  excellent 
race,  we  can  retain  it  with  proper  care.  And  from  the 
deviations  we  have  a  vast  number  of  varieties,  that 
originally  belonged  to  one  variety.  The  principle,  thai 
like  produces  like,  only  holds  good  in  animals  of  a  fixed 
race  or  blood  stock ;  for  mixed  breeds  have  no  perma- 
nent qualities. 

Like  produces  like,  in  blood  stock  that  has  been  care- 
fully bred  for  a  white  color,  forty  or  fifty  years,  almost 
every  animal  will  be  wholly  white.  Now  as  to  the  de- 
viations. Select  those  that  have  a  little  red  on  them, 
and  breed  from  them,  continuing  to  select  those  that 
have  the  most  red,  and  after  a  long  course  of  careful 
breeding,  a  red  race  will  be  obtained.  Then  reverse  and 
select  those  with  spots  of  white,  and  you  can  breed 
bacit  to  the  pure  white. 

Sometimes  the  intellectual  powers,  or  imagination, 
may  have  an  influence  over  the  organic  power,  and 
cause  a  material  deviation  from  this  general  rule  ;  and 
in  some  instances  a  strong  resemblance,  to  generations 
even  long  past,  has  been  revived.    A  cow  ran  with  a 


236  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

horned  white  ox,  with  some  black  spots,  while  she  was 
in  season,  before  taken  to  the  bull.  Neither  the  cow, 
bull,  nor  any  of  the  herd,  had  horns  or  any  white  on 
them;  yet  the  calf  had  horns,  and  was  black  and  white. 
Within  a  few  years,  in  Maine,  an  animal  showed  distinct 
qualities  of  a  bull  that  was  in  the  herd  forty  years  be- 
fore, which  properties  had  not  been  apparent  for  a  num- 
ber of  generations  previous  to  their  late  exhibition. 

Breeding  "in  and  ira,"  and  Close  Breeding.  The  former 
term  implies  breeding  from  precisely  the  same  race,  or 
blood ;  and  although  this  course  is  absolutely  necessary, 
in  some  cases,  to  propagate  a  race  in  its  purity,  and  may 
succeed  very  well  for  a  few  generations,  yet  it  should 
not  be  carried  far,  as  it  will  eventually  tend  to  weakness 
of  constitution  and  degeneracy.  Breeding  between  a 
parent  and  its  offspring,  though  Close  Breeding,  and  ob- 
jectionable, is  better  than  to  breed  between  animals  from 
the  same  parents,  especially  if  the  parents  were  of  differ- 
ent races ;  for,  in  the  first  case,  the  two  animals  are  only 
half  of  the  same  blood ;  but,  in  the  second,  they  are  of 
the  same  blood.  A  connection  of  those  animals  that  are 
allied  to  each  other  should  generally  be  avoided.  In 
breeding  from  the  same  race,  it  is  better  to  extend  the 
stock  into  different  families,  that  there  may  be  a  wider 
range  for  selection. 

Crossing.  By  judicious  crossing  between  animals  of 
different  breeds,  the  greatest  improvements  are  made. 
In  this  case,  the  two  races  should  not  be  widely  differ- 
ent. If  the  two  breeds  are  of  different  sizes,  the  male 
should  be  selected  from  the  small  race,  and  the  female 
from  the  large  breed.  The  reason  for  this  is  obvious ; 
for  then  the  dam  will  have  sufficient  capacity  for  her 
young;  it  will  not,  nor  herself,  be  endangered  at  its 
birth,  and  she  will  have  a  supply  of  nourishment  for  it. 
But  if  it  be  of  a  larger  breed,  the  progeny  might  be 
limited,  endangered,  stinted,  and  wanting  in  symmetry 
and  form. 

Superior  Influence  of  Blood  Stock.  If  one  of  the  parents 
is  blood  stock,  or  a  fixed  breed,  and  the  other  is  not,  the 
blood  stock  will  generally  prevail.  This  is  very  evident, 
as  the  animal  of  blood  stock  has  its  qualities  permanently 


BREEDING.  2S7 

established,  and  will  transmit  them  to  the  offspring,  while 
those  in  the  animal  of  a  mixed  race  may  he  merely  inci- 
dental and  transient,  not  extending  beyond  that  animal, 
or  perhaps  lie  dormant  for  some  years,  and  appear  in 
future  generations.  For  instance,  one  of  the  parents 
belongs  to  a  fixed  red  race,  and  the  other  is  a  white  ani- 
mal, in  a  mixed  herd  of  various  colors;  the  progeny 
would  generally  be  red. 

What  determines  the  Sex  ?  There  is  some  reason  for 
believing  that  the  animal  in  the  greatest  vigor  gives 
character  to  the  sex.  Put  a  stout  buck,  in  the  prime 
of  life,  and  in  fine  condition,  with  only  a  jew  ewes, 
not  vigorous,  being  young  or  old,  and  in  low  condition, 
and  most  of  the  offspring  will  be  males  ;  but  take  a  very 
young  or  very  old  buck,  rather  poor,  and  put  him  with 
a  large  number  of  strong,  vigorous  ewes,  three  or  four 
years  old,  in  good  condition,  and  the  majority  of  the 
lambs  will  be  ewes.  A  French  breeder  would  pro- 
duce a  majority  of  males  or  females,  in  herds  or  flocks, 
at  the  pleasure  of  the  owner,  on  this  principle,  yet  it  is 
disputed. 

The  Influence  of  Sire  and  Dam.  Many  contend  that 
the  male  has  the  greater  influence  on  the  progeny ; 
others  say  that  the  influence  is  equal ;  and  a  few  con- 
tend that  the  dam  has  the  greater  influence.  The  reason 
that  so  many  think  that  the  sire  has  the  greater  influ- 
ence is  doubtless  from  more  attention  having  been  given 
to  the  improvement  of  the  male,  as  he  is  the  more  im- 
portant animal,  from  his  greater  progeny. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  many  breeders  that  the  offspring 
more  resembles  the  sire  externally,  and  the  dam  inter- 
nally ;  that  in  sheep,  the  lamb  will  resemble  the  sire  in 
fleece,  and  the  dam  in  disposition  and  constitution  ;  but 
this  difference  probably  obtains  only  in  a  moderate  de- 
gree. 

It  is  generally  acknowledged  that  the  male  offspring 
more  resembles  the  mother,  and  the  female  the  father. 
On  this  principle,  to  get  good  cows  from  a  superior  cow, 
raise  bulls  from  her  and  heifers  from  them,  and  the  re- 
verse. Here  we  may  have  the  reason  for  so  many  fail- 
ures in  attempts  to  raise  up  fine  cows  from  some  very 


288  DISEASES    OF    ANIMALS. 

superior  native  cows ;  but  another  important  reason  for 
the  failure  is  that  our  native  breed  is  mixed  up  and  con- 
stantly varying. 

Causes  of  Degeneracy.  They  are  numerous.  Among 
the  most  prominent  are,  breeding  from  worthless  animals 
and  in  a  hap-hazard  manner ;  breeding  in  and  in  ;  close 
breeding;  want  of  good  keeping;  want  of  good  man- 
agement ;  bad  training,  and  excessive  use  of  males.  In 
?ome  towns,  not  one  good  horse,  male  or  female,  can  be 
found,  and  yet  every  sorry  jade  has  a  foal,  and  perhaps 
by  the  most  worthless  horse  in  the  place ;  and  this  be- 
ginning is  of  a  piece  with  the  whole  mangement  in  rear- 
ing and  breaking.  In  some  cases,  a  buck  is  shut  up  and 
poorly  fed,  and  greatly  reduced,  and  then  turned  into  a 
large  flock. 

Bad  keeping,  irregular  feeding,  the  want  of  a  regular 
supply  of  pure  water,  inaction,  exposures,  ill-usage,  and 
bad  management  of  any  kind,  are  causes  of  degeneracy. 
To  improve  a  race  of  animals,  then,  they  must  be  well 
and  regularly,  but  not  too  high  fed,  well  educated,  prop 
erly  exercised,  well  curried,  and  managed  every  way 
for  the  promotion  of  their  health,  strength,  and  comfort 


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